At Plains Commerce Bank, protecting our customers from fraud is one of our highest priorities. We want to make you aware of a sophisticated scam currently targeting consumers across the country. This scheme involves fraudulent phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to represent reputable companies—such as Amazon—followed by impersonation of government officials. 

How the Scam Works 

The scam typically begins with a phone call from someone claiming to be a representative of a major retailer. The caller warns you that your account has been compromised and is being used for illegal activity. You are then transferred to a person posing as a government agent who states that your financial accounts have also been breached. 

The impersonator may advise you to withdraw cash from your bank account and hand it over to a courier for “safekeeping,” claiming this is necessary to protect your funds while an investigation is underway. They may also warn you not to disclose this information to anyone, suggesting that your phone or other devices are compromised. 

Please be advised: This is a scam. At no point is your account under investigation, nor are your funds at risk unless you follow the scammers’ instructions. The individuals contacting you are fraudsters attempting to steal your money. 

Protect Yourself with These Precautions 

To safeguard your personal and financial information, we encourage you to keep the following in mind: 

• Legitimate organizations will never ask you to withdraw cash or hand over money to a third party. No government agency or financial institution will request this, especially over the phone.
• Scammers often use fear and urgency to manipulate victims. If someone pressures you to take immediate action or insists on secrecy, it is a strong indicator of fraud.
• Never provide personal, account, or security information to unknown callers. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and contact the organization directly using a verified phone number. 

If you believe you have been targeted by this or any other type of scam, please contact Plains Commerce Bank immediately at 866.937.1134. Our fraud prevention team is here to help. 

At Plains Commerce Bank, your security is our priority.