Phone-call scam making rounds

Customers of a Yuba City credit union reported getting phone calls Sunday asking them to provide critical financial information, including PIN numbers to their accounts.

John Cassidy, president and chief executive officer of Sierra Central Credit Union, said no one should give out any kind of financial information over the phone no matter where they do their banking.

He said the technique, called "fishing," is a confidence game designed to steal money or other resources from customers.

"They throw out a big net ... posing as Sierra Central officers or other financial institutions ... and hope to snare someone in that net," said Cassidy, who was informed of the scam by both customers and noncustomers.

He said anyone who receives such calls should hang up and then contact his or her bank directly.

Sierra Central officials have notified law enforcement. Cassidy said he expects the FBI to be notified since "vishing" is a federal crime.