We have a new consumer alert. Phone calls in the middle of the night, but not from anyone you want to hear from.
 

Its been hitting 352 area code numbers. Its an automated message scam from what is supposed to be a local credit union. It sounds real, but its not.
  

People have been getting the calls for weeks. When they get the call, an automated message tells them there is a problem with their debit card and they will need to call back and enter their PIN number and account information to fix it.

Fred Posner has received these calls, and says it is a very good and realistic sounding scam, and that's why they continue calling.

"Bottom line its all people trying to steal your money and they are doing it with the most creative ways they know how, it costs them almost nothing and they are doing it again because it must have worked the first time."

When they call, they are using Gainesville's 1st Credit Union's name.

But they are not targeting just members of the credit union. They are randomly and persistently calling all 352 area code numbers.

CEO of 1st Credit Union wants people to know they did not give out any information about their customers. A scammer is just hitting numbers in the area, using their name. He also wants people to know, they don't have to be scared of this.

"You know, they are just calling everyone, hoping to get that one person who will call back and disclose their information because they have no information on you other than your cell phone number."

Some of his customers have have fallen for it, but Cannon says no money has been lost because of their 24-hour fraud alert.

Cannon says the scam has also been using the names of other financial institutions and it its just their turn

Posner says he's heard about this scam in bigger cities and is surprised is hitting our area.

"Here I haven't heard one and this one was well done and if you think you have a bank account you might actually fall for this one."

Things to remember:

1. Cannon says any financial institution that calls you and asks for your PIN number is fraudulent.
2. Some of the numbers our viewers have received calls from:
    -377-372-5939 (377 is not even an area code in North America)
    -214-377-5991 (you only get a busy signal)
3. Other viewers have been getting calls with no call back number or numbers listing only a single digit. The calls are appearing from a variety of phone numbers and digits.
4. The FBI is investigating and have been able to track some of the calls to Oregon.
5. Ignore the calls. But if you do put your information in, call your financial institution immediately.