MOBILE PHONE TEXT FRAUD ALERT

We have received information that cell phone customers in Ohio and West Virginia are currently receiving multiple text messages from someone alleging to be “your bank” or “your debit or credit card issuer”.  THESE MESSAGES ARE FRAUDULENT.  This is a “phishing scam” (an attempt to gather your personal financial information in order to complete an unauthorized transaction on your account). These types of text messages generally instruct the cell phone owner to call a specific phone number. Upon calling the number, the cell phone owner reaches an automated voice system that prompts the customer to provide card number, expiration date, pin number and CVV value information. DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS TEXT MESSAGE.   Settlers Bank will NEVER ask for your card information or pin number via email or text message.  In fact, no one should ever ask for your pin number except ATMs and other cash machines. 

There are several ways to avoid these types of phishing scams, but the simplest advice is to NEVER ever give out personal financial information over the telephone or internet, except on very trusted websites where you actually enter the web address into your browser and ONLY  for transactions which you initiate.