Farmers & Merchants State Bank -- Your Partner For Life

Security Alerts

CELL PHONE DEBIT CARD SCAM

We have been made aware of a new cell phone scam in our area that is targeting people with debit cards. Some customers of other Wisconsin financial institutions have received automated cell phone messages stating that "All [Bank name] Debit Cards have been DEACTIVATED" or something similar. The customers are instructed to respond to the alert in order to reactivate their cards. This is a scam. If you receive this automated phone message, please ignore it. Please be assured that your card has not been deactivated.

Law enforcement officials in other states have encountered similar calls and advise:

In this scam consumers receive a cell phone message or call, stating their card has been deactivated.
The consumer is instructed to call a toll free number to reactivate the card. Upon calling the number, consumers are instructed to enter their debit or credit card number and their PIN. After entering the numbers, consumers are told the card has been reactivated.
Responding to this cell phone message could result in identity theft and financial loss. Debit and credit card companies and banks do not request consumers to provide their personal identification number (PIN) or personal security information over the phone, through email or text messages.