The Rocklin Police Department (RPD) has issued a warning about a new bank fraud scam that targets victims through phone calls, emails, or text messages. Scammers pose as bank staff and claim there is suspicious activity on an account.
After the victim confirms the supposed fraud, the caller transfers them to a fake fraud or customer service department. These impostors pressure the victim to grant account access. They may urge the person to transfer money via wire, buy gift cards, or use a bitcoin ATM. In other cases, they instruct victims to withdraw cash for physical pickup. Once the money leaves, it cannot be recovered.
Scammers are using spoofed numbers to mimic banks or government agencies. They keep victims on the line to create urgency. Sometimes they instruct them to lie to bank tellers. In some cases, they claim the teller is part of the scam. These tactics aim to trap victims before they can think clearly.
Police advise anyone who receives such a message or call to log into their account directly and check for fraud themselves. “Never give anyone your account login details over the phone, even if they seem to know your information,” RPD stressed.
Anyone who falls victim to this scheme should report the case to their local police department immediately.
