RIP-OFF ALERT: There's a sophisticated ruse going on right now where criminals use the triple threat of e-mail, phone calls and text messages to trick you into yielding your account information.
This trio of messages will look and sound completely legitimate. They may prompt you to call a seemingly legit toll-free number and talk to an "investigator," or direct you to a website that looks real with logos from your bank, credit union or brokerage house.
The truly scary thing is that the criminals already have access to all your contact info.
The Kansas City Star reports that the FBI and Secret Service are aware of this scam. So beware if you get hit with this trifecta of phishing (e-mail), vishing (voice mail) and smishing (text).
What should you do if you think you're on the receiving end? Don't divulge your PIN number or other sensitive information. Go to your real bank's website, look for the contact info and call them that way. Don't respond back to what you see in an e-mail, even if it looks legit.
Yes, Clark wants to make you paranoid. Think you may have already fallen prey? Contact your bank and tell them to check into it before the suspected crime progresses any further.
