Scammers Targeting Customers Of Former ANB Financial

FORT SMITH, Ark. -- A new bank scam in Fort Smith has someone trying to steal account information from customers of the former ANB Financial.

Scammers Targeting Customers Of Former ANB Financial

When Arkansas National Bank went bankrupt recently for lending too much money to commercial developers, Pulaski Bank and Trust took over. Some criminals are trying to take advantage of the possible confusion by scamming unsuspecting customers.

The scammers are calling former ANB customers claiming to be representatives of the bank that has taken over ANB's assets and accounts. They ask the customer to provide bank account details.

"Before it gets to be a major problem and we have a large number of victims out there, we want to make sure the public's aware," said Fort Smith Police Officer Mike Bates.

Those details can then be used by the scammers to access the accounts.

"They can print checks up in their motel rooms. They can order things online or by phone. You name it. If they have your banking information, they can do pretty much what they want," Bates said.

So, if you receive one of these calls, police said do not give out any information and call authorities immediately.

Police advise residents to not give any information out over the phone and to call police immediately if they receive a call from someone wanting their bank account information.

Fort Smith police said no one has given their account information to the scammers.

If a bank needs information from you, it will send you a letter or have you stop by the bank, police said.