Scammer focuses on South Dakota bank customers

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) The Better Business Bureau in Sioux Falls says a scam artist in New York state tried to trick several customers of a South Dakota bank to provide personal financial information last week.

Targeted were customers of a bank in Tripp.

They were called by someone claiming to be working on behalf of the bank warning them that unauthorized withdrawals of 395 dollars were made from their accounts and requesting information so their accounts could be credited.

The bank discovered it was actually an attempt to steal 395 dollars from its customers, and no money was lost.

Jim David of the Better Business Bureau says banks don't request account information over the phone or Internet because they already have that information.

He says suspicious callers should be told that they'll be called back, and then people should get their bank's number out of the phone book and call them.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-30-06 0751CST | save this article / add to your favorites list