Receive a debit card you didn’t expect? Whatcom police say call your bank, then call them
Bellingham Police have received at least 70 reports of fraudulent debit cards being opened without victims’ knowledge from a Chase Bank branch in Bellingham since late February. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is also receiving similar reports.
“Have you received a ... debit card from Chase Bank you did not request? That is the scam,” a scam alert Bellingham Police plan to post to social media reads.
The post goes on to say: “Thus far, there does not seem to be a monetary loss to the person in whose name the card was started, but it is imperative you close the account to preserve your credit score.”
Victims are finding out that a Chase debit card has been ordered in their name without their permission when they receive the cards in the mail, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
The scam has only been for Chase debit cards, not credit cards, JP Morgan Chase spokesperson Darcy Donahoe-Wilmot told The Bellingham Herald in an email Tuesday.
“It is imperative these folks call the Chase Bank using the phone number on the back of the card they were mailed to make a report,” Murphy wrote. “This way the bank can cancel the card and fraudulent account.”
The second call victims should make, Murphy reported, should be to law enforcement so they can file a report:
▪ Bellingham Police Department: 360-676-6911 or file an online report at cob.org/services/safety/police-services/reporting/online-reports (make sure to choose “fraud” in the category).
▪ Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office: 360-676-6911 or final an online report at apps1.whatcomcounty.us/reportcrime/ (make sure to choose “fraud” in the category).
▪ If you live in another town, contact your local police department.
Police are working with Chase Bank to investigate the fraudulent cards.
“Anytime customers have questions, they can call the number on the back of their debit card, and explain their situation,” Donahoe-Wilmot said in a statement emailed to The Herald. “We will work with them to resolve it.”
Additionally, victims can file a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov, according to Murphy.
Chase’s website lists four branches in Bellingham and one in Ferndale.
This story was originally published March 8, 2021 at 2:42 PM.
CORRECTION: JP Morgan Chase reports that the fraud has only involved debit cards at this time.
