Several Texas community banks have recently been the target of a particularly disturbing scam.

Here's how it has worked...

- A community (generally rural, but urban areas have been victimized as well) was blanketed with "robo-calls", e-mails and text messages directing the recipients to call either a toll-free or local number because their account had supposedly been compromised. This has been described as "phishing on steroids" by one observer.

- Customers calling the number(s) provided reached a phone customized with the bank name and a message appearing to be from that bank.

- Customers were directed to enter their debit card number, expiration date and PIN. Accounts were hit, primarily from ATMs in Europe. This scheme has generally been initiated over the weekend, and the damage is done by the time the bank opens on Monday morning. New technology has made it possible to "spoof" e-mails, phone numbers (caller ID's can be manipulated to display the bank's name) and calls can be forwarded anywhere in the world cheaply and easily. The Secret Service has several of these scams under active investigation.

In order to avoid falling for these scams, remember to never give PINs, account numbers or other sensitive information to anyone - even if it appears to be legitimate. Always be cautious.

Additionally, any unsolicited communication from us or any other financial institution should alert you to verify the information elsewhere prior to returning the call, e-mail or text message.

If you have reason to believe there is a scam operating in your area, please contact the Secret Service. The Lubbock office is quite aware of and involved with this situation, and can be reached at 806.472.7347. The Dallas office is also involved and is a good contact at 972.868.3200.