Bank phone scams are on the rise, and detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office are warning residents to be on the lookout. Detectives say residents should think before they answer.

In recent months, investigators with BSO’s Pompano Beach District have received over a dozen reports of residents being scammed out of thousands of dollars by scammers posing as bank employees. In one case, scammers successfully tricked a victim into withdrawing $15,000 in cash. In another case, a couple was instructed to place their debit cards in an envelope and hand them over to an individual impersonating a member of their financial institution’s fraud team. The scammers in this case charged more than $9,000 on the couple’s combined Visa debit cards.

Here’s how the scam works – Scammers call unwitting victims claiming to be with the fraud department of the victim’s bank. The caller then informs the victim that the bank has detected suspicious activity in their account, possibly indicating fraud. The perpetrator then tells the victim that in order to protect their assets, the victim will need to withdraw funds from their account or immediately turn in their debit card and PIN. Once the money is withdrawn and the victim is ready to provide their card and PIN, the scammer instructs the victim to place the cash or card in an envelope in the backseat of an Uber that the scammer has arranged. The victim is also told not to speak to the Uber driver.

BSO wants the public to know this is a scam! Here are some important tips to follow:

• If you receive a call from a bank employee claiming possible fraud against your account or a possible cloning of your debit card, immediately hang up and contact your bank directly using the number listed on your bank statement or the bank’s website.
• Do not provide unknown callers with any personal information, PIN numbers, items, or money.
• A financial banking institute will not ask you to withdraw funds from your bank account and place them in an Uber.
• An employee of a bank will not ask you to give your debit card and PIN to a ride-share driver.

If you live in a BSO jurisdiction and believe you are a victim of a similar scam, call BSO’s non-emergency number at 954-764-HELP (4357).

Remember, scammers are always looking for ways to separate victims from their money. Don’t be a victim.