Daijiworld Media Network—Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Nov 4: Only two incidents of ATM card frauds have been reported to police in the recent past. But as per reports, ATM frauds have been taking place on regular basis. But the phones asking for ATM card numbers are ringing every day. Many people are complaining about the phone calls being received.
On November 1, the fraudsters found a prey in the form of a Karnataka bank account holder, a resident of Maroli. As per reports, the unknown person phoned the victim in Hindi saying that he was a Karnataka bank officer. The victim was told that he had been allotted a new ATM card. The victim upon insistence gave his 16 digit ATM card number to the fake bank officer. It was discovered in next fifteen minutes that Rs.25000 was withdrawn from the victim’s bank account. Later the phone call was tracked to have been originated from Jharkhand. There has been no response from the mobile of the fraudster.
The same type of incident was reported on October 20 where a Corporation bank account holder lost Rs.24, 595 in Mangaluru. Shashi from Kumpala lost the money from his Corporation Bank account from Hampankatta branch. Shashi received a phone call on October 2 in Hindi saying that his account number had been changed. When Shashi said there was nothing wrong with the account they insisted that they knew better as they ‘spoke from Corporation Bank ATM department’. Ultimately Shashi gave his old account number in ‘exchange’ for the new one.
Soon after that Shashi received an SMS saying an amount of Rs. 2,020 was withdrawn from his account. By the time he reached the bank to enquire about the withdrawal, he had already lost Rs.24,595. The multiple withdrawals were in this order- Rs.2, 020, Rs.1, 500, Rs.1, 100, Rs.1, 475, Rs.8, 000, Rs.8, 000, Rs.1, 000, Rs.1, 000 and Rs.500.
In the past the police and the banks have repeatedly warned the public never to reveal any bank details over the phone.
And now a person named Mahabaleshwar Bhat from Badanaje Vittal has revealed to the media that he also received a call from fraudsters. He has requested people to be careful while attending these calls. The fraudsters are known to talk sweet. Beware of them.
Please keep in mind, no bank asks for your ATM card number or its PIN number.