Parkway Bank customers warned of e-mail scam

The latest e-mail scam may not wipe out the computer, but it could wipe out the bank account.

Local authorities say there are e-mails circulating telling people their Parkway Bank account has been closed and they need to call a specific number to reactivate the account. When account holders call that number, they don't reach anyone at the bank. Instead, they receive an unknown recording that prompts them to enter their account number and personal identification number (PIN).

Once that information is shared, the recipient can create a debit card that has full access to the individual's account.

However, it doesn't only affect Parkway Bank customers. Parkway Bank Chief Executive Officer Jim Sponenberg said that since the scam isn't directly linked to Parkway Bank, any account number will do.

“What seems to be happening is that someone has obtained a bunch of e-mail addresses and sends the e-mail to those people,” Sponenberg said. “Then they pick a random name, such as Parkway Bank, Bank of America or another bank, and then ask people to call a specific number. It just happened to be that Parkway Bank was selected Friday, and by mid-morning we contacted the proper authorities.”

Sponenberg said the bank contacted Lenoir Police Department, as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission, which has personnel who will alert the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sponenberg also said Parkway contacted its members and other banks to let them know what was going on.

“First thing this morning we were notified, and we started telling the proper people to minimize any problems,” Sponenberg said. “We won't know until later what kind of money was lost with this scam, but the only way it succeeds is if people call the number.”

LPD Capt. Tom Deighton said the best way to prevent this scam from spreading is for people to contact their personal banker with questions regarding their account and to never give any personal information to someone they don't know. He said if they have received the e-mails and contacted the number, they need to call their respective banks.

“No bank will ask you for your PIN number because we don't want you to give that information over the phone,” Sponenberg said. “In fact, in most cases the only person who knows the PIN number is the individual. I recommend they not give it out to anyone, especially someone they don't know.”

Sponenberg noted that a bank in Boone also has been a recent target of this scam. He said that it appears that when the e-mail is sent, it reads the person's address book and sends the e-mail to everyone on the list. Sponenberg said no information is coming off the bank systems, and he has been told that the e-mails appear to originate in Spain.

Anyone with questions or concerns should contact their local law enforcement office and their personal bank.

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