BancorpSouth issues consumer alert

Tupelo, Miss.-based BancorpSouth announced Wednesday (June 6) that its customer continue to experience an increased level of fraudulent messages, often referred to as phishing, targeting numerous BancorpSouth customers and non-customers.

The bank, which has numerous locations in Arkansas, provided the following detail.

“The automated phone calls typically give the pretext of activating a debit card and ask the recipient to provide their debit or credit card number and PIN for identification. These messages are being sent by way of cell phone calls, text messages, and emails.

“The messages generally mention that the card number for the recipient has been deactivated. This is an effort to have the recipient contact a phone number or web site to provide card information.

“These calls are not legitimate. BancorpSouth will never ask for personal or account information by these means. Should an account holder receive a suspicious phone call or e-mail, consumers should NOT give out any personal or account information.
In the event consumers become suspicious about a call received regarding their debit or credit cards, they should contact BancorpSouth's Customer Service Center at 888-797-7711, or a BancorpSouth office, prior to providing any information.”

BancorpSouth is a financial holding with $13.3 billion in assets. The company operates 290 commercial banking, mortgage, insurance, trust and broker dealer locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, and an insurance location in Illinois.