The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline today reported a spike in complaints about telephone calls claiming to be from the Bank of the Cascades. The caller tells consumers that their bank records have been compromised and that they need to verify the consumer's bank account number.
"This is a phishing scam," says Oregon Attorney General spokesman Tony Green. "Never provide your bank account number over the phone or by email. No legitimate financial institution will call you and ask you for your bank account number or other sensitive financial information."
He says scammers are trying to trick consumers into turning over their bank account numbers to they can empty the bank account.
The Consumer Hotline has received more than 20 telephone calls from Central Oregon about this scam. At least one consumer fell prey to the scam and lost $515 immediately after providing their bank account number. This is a significant number of calls for such a short period of time.
Anyone who believes they have been approached by a scammer should contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov
Portland and Seattle
Free Subscription to Breaking News
Free Subscription to Breaking News
