United Community Bank: Beware of Automated Calls

A Blairsville-based bank with branches in Cumming is warning about automated phone calls aimed at scamming customers by obtaining their personal information.

United Community Bank on the front page of its website Tuesday had a message warning customers about these calls.

“Please do not respond to any automated calls claiming to be from United Community Bank. These calls are a scam and NOT being issued from United,” the message read.

I received one of these calls Monday night from an odd number—253-638-27 out of Kent, Wash., according to my phone—and the automated recording told me that my United Community Bank MasterCard debit card (I don't have one) had been compromised, and that I should press 1. I immediately hung up instead.

A message board on the website callerr.com listed eight reports of users receiving similar calls from the nine-digit phone number. The reports were made as far back as July 24, though most were made this month.  

United Community Bank's website has a page dedicated to identity theft information, precautions customers can take and what they can do if they become a victim. The bank warns that employees will never contact customers for their personal information through online means or by phone.

United Community has two branches in Cumming—one at 1015 Buford Highway and another at 4365 Browns Bridge Road. In all, the bank has more than 100 locations throughout the metro Atlanta area, north and coastal Georgia, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

Customers who have supplied any information to those utilizing the automated calls can contact their local United Community Bank branch during business hours. After hours, they can call 706-439-6600 and selection option 3.

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