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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 11:40 a.m., Monday, February 2, 2009

Bankers group warns of new phone 'phishing' scam

Advertiser Staff

Beware of another phone "phishing" scam going around.

The Hawaii Bankers Association is alerting the general public of a phone scam targeting credit and debit cardholders.

In this scheme, an automated recorded message identifies itself as calling from a local bank and asks the recipient to provide their credit or debit card number and personal identification number (PIN).

The association says the correct response to such a call is hang up immediately.

If you have responded to a questionable phone call or email, contact your bank's customer service department, whose numbers are also listed on the back of credit cards.

The association members want consumers to know that "no legitimate financial institution will ever solicit its customers for personal account information over the phone or online."

The banker offer this advice:

• Be wary of unsolicited phone calls requesting account information over the phone or by e-mail even if they claim or appear to be with a bank familiar to you.

• Verify that the phone number that is calling you is indeed your bank's phone number or that the Web site is authentic before making any transaction.

• Always type the Web site URL address yourself, never click on a link which could re-direct you to a fraudulent website.

• If you fall victim to a phishing fraud, act immediately to protect yourself by alerting your financial institution, placing fraud alerts on your credit files and monitoring your account statements closely.

The association is a trade organization made up of member local banks, which include: American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of the Orient, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank, HomeStreet Bank, Ohana Pacific Bank, Pacific Rim Bank and Territorial Savings Bank.