Authorities advise: Banner Bank Phone Scam

WALLA WALLA – Banner Bank wants to make its customers aware of a wide-spread phone scam in which Banner Bank customers and non-customers receive automated calls stating that there is a problem with the recipient’s debit or credit card. The robo calls, which may show as Banner Bank on a caller ID, request the recipient to press “1” for an operator, then ask for the recipient to enter his or her card information. Do not do so.

“These robo-calls are part of a phishing scam attempting to obtain bank account and personal information,” said Dianne Larsen, senior vice president of Banner Bank. “Banner never asks for clients’ personal or account information by phone, email or text message.”

Banner Bank has alerted the authorities regarding the fraudulent robo-calls. Any Banner Bank clients that may have provided debit or credit card information to the fraudsters should call Banner’s client services at 1-800-272-9933.

If anyone mistakenly provided bank account and personal information or believes they may be a victim of identity theft, visit http://www.idtheft.gov or call 1-877-IDTHEFT to report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission.