Do Not Call 360-200-5197 -- Scam in Bellingham, WA

I was on my cell phone today with a client. I got this little musical tune that I get when a text message comes in. In my case, that is about once a month -- I hate text messaging.

I have an account at Northcoast Credit Union, a well-respected local financial institution. So, it got my attention when the text said: 

MsgID4_65NDWUBG@v.w NORTH COAST CU NOTICE: Your card has been DISABLED. Please call 360.200.5197.

It ends up that this is a phising scam. If you call the number, then a woman's voice says that they need to lookup your account and ask for the account number. Of course, when you do so, they get your info. In my case, I entered a fake number because I did not know quite what to think.

Afterwards I called Northcoast and, sure enough, it is a scam. Now, Northcoast told me that this has been going on for a couple weeks now and that they have had over 1400 reported instances of problems.

Since the return telephone number is so plainly visible, I cannot figure out why the authorities, read that as police, working with the cell phone companies cannot figure out the "root" of this problem and shut it down.

Anyway, this type of thing is bound to be a problem in our wired and wireless society. But, if you live in this area and get such a text, then provide no numbers and call the financial institution. I imagine that when they are done with Northcoast, they will move to another well-known local bank or credit union.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith