Credit Card Text Message Scam Targets Windsorites

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Reader photo of similar text message received Wednesday afternoon

Windsor Police are warning those in the Windsor and Essex County area to be on the alert after evidence of another phone scam resurfacing recently.

The Financial Crimes Unit of Windsor Police have received a number of complaints from cellular phone subscribers in the 519 area code advising that they have received text messages from service [email protected]. The text message will read: “Alert. HBC Financial MasterCard Locked. Please call 1-201-5000-4622.”

Police say that when the phone number is called back, an automated voice recording will request you to enter your MasterCard number on the keypad of the phone. By entering the number, you have given the scammer access to your valid credit card number which may be used to create a “cloned” credit card or to make online purchases.

Police report that this new scam has been reported in various regions in the country and has now just reached the “519” area code recently.

Police are reminding everyone that Credit Card Companies will NEVER notify customers in this manner that their cards have been compromised. Customers who receive or have received any text message of this nature should disregard it and report it to your local police agency.