Phone Scammers Develop New Tactics

In addition to the ongoing phone scam that has been hitting our area concerning BanCorp South and other banks, scammers have now adopted some new tactics to steal from and defraud the public.
Neil Higgason with the Winston County Sheriff's Department indicates that there have been multiple complaints across the county related to text messages and some calls to landlines as well. Text messages indicate that the recipient needs to "press a button" to reactivate a closed credit card or to increase credit limits.  By responding to the text, the user may be allowing access to their card account.
In addition, some calls have been made to landlines indicating that Federal Express will be delivering a package and instructs the recipient to call an "888" number for more info. Once called, the victim is transferred to a "Pay per minute" line  and is billed an exorbitant amount on their phone bill.
Citizens are reminded to use caution and not respond to such calls.  Do not provide credit card, debit card, bank account or social security numbers over the phone or online to unsolicited callers or e-mailers.