On January 25th some customers of the Queenstown Bank as well as several non-customers received text messages from (914) 482-8103 advising them that their debit card has been deactivated and to contact (410) 286-1742 to reactivate their card. If/When the card number is entered the customer’s card is compromised. In some cases the call is answered by an automated response system where they are prompted to enter the card number. There have also been instances where the call is answered by an individual. Non-customers who have responded to the text message have been asked for credit card information once they advised they were not Queenstown Bank customers.

 Shortly after learning of the situation the contact number was placed “Out of Service”. However, when calling the number from where the text message was originated, the call is answered by an automated system “Queenstown Bank 24 Hour Activation Services”, please enter your 16 digit card number.

 The Queenstown Bank of Maryland will never send messages, text, email, etc asking for identifying information. Upon notification of the situation the Queenstown Bank immediately took steps to protect their customers and the public by contacting law enforcement. Even though the banks debit / ATM card base was not compromised they felt the public should be informed of these types of scams. Queenstown Bank advises they take the protection of their customer’s information very seriously and have multiple safeguards in place to protect against fraudulent access.

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 Sheriff Hofmann suggests that anyone who has recently provided bank information / passwords due this type of message to carefully review their accounts and to report to the Sheriff’s Office any unauthorized transactions.