GREEN DOT CARD SCAM ALERT

A Green Dot Card is a re-loadable debit card that can be purchased locally at places like Walmart, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens. They can also be purchased online. When one of these “temporary cards” is purchased, the owner can apply online or via phone for a “name embossed” Green Dot Card, which looks identical to a standard Visa or MasterCard debit card. It is accepted everywhere a normal Visa or MasterCard is accepted.

Citizens are receiving these “permanent/name embossed” Green Dot Debit Cards in the mail. The mailing is from Green Dot Bank in Pasadena, CA.

If you receive an unsolicited “permanent” Green Dot Card, do the following:

1. Contact your local police agency to report the ID theft.

2. Contact Green Dot Bank Customer Service at 866-795-7597.

 Do NOT call the number to activate the card.

 You will have to supply the last 4 digits of your SSN, as it was used to set up the account.

 CLOSE any and all accounts with your name at Green Dot Bank.

 Destroy the card.

3. If you have not filed your 2014 Federal Tax Return, contact the ID Identity Theft Hotline at 800-908-4490, and report that you have been a victim of ID theft.

4. Notify all of your financial institutions (i.e. banks, credits unions, etc.)

5. Contact one of the three credit bureaus and place your credit account on “fraud alert.”

 Equifax: 800-525-6285

 Experian: 888-397-3742

 TransUnion: 800-680-7289

6. Have them file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on their website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, or via phone at 877-438-4338.

Categorized in: Fraud Alerts