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Caddo residents are being warned about a bank card scam involving the theft of personal information and money, said Sheriff Steve Prator.

In recent days, CPSO has received reports from citizens who have received text messages allegedly from their banks stating their bank card has been locked. The message directs them to call a phone number that is provided. Upon doing so they are asked for the card information, including the pin number, to reactivate the card.  Once the information is provided, the suspect makes fraudulent withdrawals, generally from ATMs located inside retail stores. 

These cases are currently under investigation by the Caddo-Shreveport Financial Crimes Task Force. Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator reminds citizens to never provide personal information to someone who contacts you first.

“Crooks are good at making it sound legitimate, but a bank won’t ask for your pin number,” Prator said.  “If you get a message from a bank, do your own research. Look up the phone number yourself. Contact their Customer Service Department to make sure you aren’t being scammed.”