I received a text message at 6:26 pm yesterday from 931-478-6619 that said "SOUTHERN CU ALERT: Your CARD has been DEACTIVATED. Please call: 423-342-4522. I thought it was strange so I didn't return the text or the call. I'm thinking it is a scam.
Yes, it is a scam. Never reply or call the number provided.
If you do have an account at the bank/CU in question, call them via their contact numbers or the number on your credit/ATM card.
If you don't have an account, then obviously you wouldn't be getting a legit message from that bank/CU.
Scam works by tricking people to call the number, which then requests your card number and pin to reactivate. If one provides that info, then the scammers clean out the account or max the card.
Report the messages or calls to the police. Have your cell provider block "web based" text messages and the number in question.
I got the same message this afternoon, only from 832-696-2590. Same message, asking me to call 423-342-4522. It even listed the first 4 digits of my supposedly "deactivated card". I knew it was a scam, but when I tried to report it to the police, they laughed and asked me what I thought they could do about it. Do I have any options for reporting this?