CELINA-Due to scammers’ ever-evolving tactics and a couple of specific instances identified of late by Citizens Bank of Lafayette, Bank of Celina office manager Russell West is encouraging people here to continue to be vigilant and wary of ongoing security threats.

“Everyone does need to pay a lot of attention, because even I took a phone call one day for a family member and they had me fooled for a few minutes,” West said.  “Even recently, they are using a phone number that resembles our fraud number, which is definitely concerning.

“No matter where you bank, you need to be vigilant, because it’s not just us—every person I talk to at meetings and leadership conferences is talking about these type issues.”

West’s comments come after Citizens Bank alerted their customers of the most recent dangers via social media.

“We are aware of a recent scam attempt where individuals are impersonating bank employees and contacting customers about fraudulent activity on their debit cards,” bank officials said on Facebook.com/citizensbanklafayette.  “These scammers may use phone numbers 866-666-2195 or 404-713-0673.

“The scammers will falsely claim there is fraudulent activity on your debit card and attempt to trick you into revealing your debit card number, account number, or online banking credentials,” the post continued.  “We want to assure you that our bank will never call you and request this type of personal information.

“This is a scam, please do not answer a call from these numbers.  If you have any concerns about possible fraudulent activity on your debit card, please call the bank directly or visit your local branch.”

West said the only number to use to contact the local bank’s fraud center is 1-800-237-8990.

“I recommend everybody to put that number in their phone and save it, because you can call it anytime,” he said of the 24/7 service.

West also encouraged his customers to download the bank’s mobile app, which he said is one of the most secure and convenient ways to manage an account.

“If you will download the mobile app and create an online account, you can click on your account and there is a section that is called card management,” he said.  “There you can report a lost or stolen card, you can turn alerts on to receive messages, and take other precautions.

“I like that because if it is Saturday evening and the bank is closed, you can shut down your card or you can put a hold on it anytime you need to.”

Besides calls, scammers are also spoofing the bank’s text-message alert system.

“We have had reports of customers receiving a text alert from Citizens Bank, (which) looks very similar to a real fraud alert,” the financial institution said on their Facebook page.  “The difference is this alert will ask for your online credentials.

“We will NEVER ask you to enter your online credentials. This is a scam.”

When it comes to calls or texts, West explained that fact was the best way to identify a scam 

“If we are calling or you get a text from us, we already know your information,” he said.  “We might ask for the last four to verify or something, be we are never going to ask for full account numbers.

“So don’t ever give out account numbers or other personal information.”

For more information about Bank of Celina fraud alerts, scams, and more, visit citizens-bank.org or call West at 931-243-3161.