By Daily Press staff
A Santa Monican was scammed out of an undisclosed amount of money after he gave his debit card account number and pin to an unknown entity through a text message he received on his cell phone.
Apparently the victim received a text message on his cell phone that said there was unusual activity on his debit card account and to call the number left on the text message for verification. When the victim returned the call, the automated voice message asked the victim to input the account number and PIN number for the debit card. At a later date, the victim discovered that an unknown person had made an unauthorized withdrawal from the account.
The Santa Monica Police Department encourages anyone receiving this type of text message on a cell phone number or an e-mail to not give confidential banking information, such as a pin number, to anyone.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the SMPD at (310) 458-8491 or detective Maury Sumlin at (310) 458-8437. Callers who wish to provide anonymous information may also call the We-Tip national hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463). Callers with information that leads to an arrest and conviction become eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. State of the Bay to be released
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 13, 2005. Read the original PDF.