The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) has been contacted by a consumer receiving persistent and fraudulent solicitations seeking credit card information. The number that appears on caller ID contains the 701 North Dakota prefix, but we’re confident the calls are not originating in North Dakota – though North Dakota consumers may be targeted by this phishing scam. Consumers are advised to be wary of calls like this and never provide credit card or personal information to unknown parties.
Online message boards discussing calls from this same phone number indicate an automated message informs consumers that either their accounts are locked or they’re eligible to receive lower rates on their credit cards. The message then tells them to enter 1 to continue. Some consumers claim they were then prompted to enter their 16-digit credit card number. The BBB has tried calling the number that appeared on consumers’ caller IDs, but received an automated message saying all circuits were busy.
“Perpetrators of scams like this identify themselves in broad terms like ‘Client Services’ to deceive consumers,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. “We urge people to verify everything and not to be swayed by tempting offers which sound too good to be true.”
Robocalls like this are prohibited by the FTC. Consumers who receive these types of calls should report them at
www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. If you’re ever confronted with an offer you’re not sure about, contact your local BBB or visit
www.bbb.org.
