Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader has issued an urgent warning to county residents about a new and aggressive scam targeting individuals by impersonating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and attempting to solicit sensitive bank account information over the phone.

Sheriff Schrader alerted the public earlier this week after reports surfaced of these fraudulent calls. He emphasized that the tactics employed by the scammers are designed to create a sense of urgency and trick unsuspecting victims into divulging personal financial data.

“The FDIC will not call you and ask for your bank account information,” Sheriff Schrader stated emphatically. “This is a SCAM! Please do not give them any information.”

The scam typically involves callers claiming to be representatives of the FDIC, often using official-sounding language to convince the recipient of their legitimacy. They then attempt to obtain bank account numbers, debit or credit card details, Social Security numbers, or other confidential financial information under various pretexts, such as supposed account issues, insurance claims, or investigations.

Sheriff Schrader urged all Chattooga County residents to exercise extreme caution if they receive any unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be from the FDIC. He stressed that genuine financial institutions and regulatory bodies like the FDIC will never ask for sensitive personal or financial information over the phone, especially not unsolicited.

Key advice from Sheriff Schrader and law enforcement:

• Hang Up Immediately: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the FDIC asking for your bank account information, hang up the phone. Do not engage in conversation.
• Do Not Share Information: Never provide bank account numbers, credit card details, Social Security numbers, passwords, or any other personal financial information to unsolicited callers.
• Verify Independently: If you have concerns about your bank account or suspect an issue, contact your bank directly using the official phone number listed on their website or on the back of your bank card, not a number provided by the suspicious caller.
• Report Scams: Report attempts to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office and consider filing a complaint with the FDIC directly through their official website (www.fdic.gov) or with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov.

Sheriff Schrader reminded residents that these types of scams are continually evolving, and vigilance is the best defense against financial fraud and identity theft. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the community and encourages anyone who believes they have been targeted by this or any other scam to contact them immediately.