No Let Up in Bank Scam

News Release from Police Chief Sam Kittrell, City of Orange:

For almost two weeks residents primarily in Orange County have been receiving pre-recorded phone calls from persons who are falsely identifying themselves as representatives of Orange Savings Bank.   This bank has branches throughout the region.   Previously many in the region received unsolicited emails that appeared to originate from Orange Savings Bank with the same goal of eliciting crucial financial information from individuals and then using that information to make unauthorized charges or withdrawals to that person's account.

Many citizens, as are we in law enforcement, have become increasingly frustrated at the frequency of this tactic and of the fact that others would try to steal from innocent people in this way.    It is important to note that the Orange Savings Bank has not authorized anyone to send these emails or to make these phone calls.    The bank has taken every measure they could to inform their customers and the public of this scam.   

This is becoming a tremendous problem nationwide and the United States Secret Service, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Texas Attorney General's office are vigorously investigating this crime.    

It is important that as citizens we recognize that the age of the internet, email, and internet based phone calling has presented new opportunities for criminals across the United States and even in foreign countries to victimize local banks and individuals.

No one should ever respond to an unsolicited email or phone call with financial or other personal information that could be used to take that person's identity or to use credit cards or banking information for their gain. 

Many of us grew up in Southeast Texas at a time when we did not lock our doors and did not have to secure our cars.    Over the years we learned that we have to take a part in securing our own property and in protecting ourselves from crime.   The age of the internet will cause us to make even more changes in our approach to security issues.    With this type of crime no one can take from you unless you give them the information.    We all have to be vigilant and cautious.    If you question a call from your financial institution then you should either discount the call out right, call the institution on a phone line that you know is the number you call for that institution, or you can visit the institution personally.

Many people are working very diligently to address this problem and we hope that on a national and international level countermeasures can be established to provide greater protection against this intrusion into our lives.

News Release From Texas Attorney General:

Texans should be aware that telephone calls purporting to originate from the Orange Savings Bank may actually be from identity thieves attempting to steal from bank customers.

Bank customers in the 409 area code have reported receiving automated telephone calls informing them that their account or credit card with Orange Savings Bank has been compromised. The Vidor and Orange-based bank's customers are asked to call a number and provide their account information. Orange Savings Bank customers should not call the number. The individuals responsible for the call are attempting to obtain customers' personal identifying information and bank account numbers.

To be clear, Texans must not respond to an unsolicited e-mail or telephone calls seeking sensitive personal or financial information. Legitimate banks do not call or e-mail customers seeking this information. Texans should delete the e-mail or hang up the phone.

Orange Savings Bank customers who receive these unsolicited calls should report them to Phonebusters at (888) 495-8501, or the U.S. Secret Service Houston Field Office at (713) 868-2299.