Officials say scammers are using the Wells Fargo- Wachovia transition to try and gain personal information from customers.
COLUMBIA (WACH)-- Wachovia is officially Wells Fargo now, after the largest bank merger in U.S. history. Officials say scammers are using that transition to try and gain customers’ personal information.
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs say they’ve had around a dozen complaints recently about people claiming to work for Wells Fargo, phishing for information.
One viewer tells WACH FOX News someone called him claiming to work for the bank, and needed to update his information for the merger. Unfortunately, the viewer believed the caller, and fell victim to the scam.
Carri Grube Lybarker with Consumer Affairs says you always need to be wary when someone asks for too much information.
“Legitimate businesses will not call you up and ask for your personal identity information including your date of birth, Social Security number, or your account information,” says Lybarker. She recommends people hang up, call a legitimate number for the institution, and report the scam.
Wells Fargo also offers security tips on its website to protect customers. Bank officials say unless you initiate the phone call, do not give out personal information over the phone. Also, you can always ask for a call-back number and reference number.
To report a scam to S.C. Consumer Affairs, call (803) 734- 4200.
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