Residents in Amarillo and surrounding areas be extra careful with your debit card. A bank scam has hit and it is being done through a text message followed by a phone call.

In today's society, people depend on their debit card like the air they breathe.  It is not only convenient, but there is a rare chance that you'll be robbed.  So imagine getting a text message from "your bank" saying your card has been deactivated.  I would be horrified.

Local people have been reporting getting a text message from their bank saying that their debit card has been deactivated and they need to call 806-576-#### to fix the problem.  Once the customers call this number, they are prompted to enter their full 16-digit card and pin number.

This is totally a SCAM!  No bank would ever ask for your card number and pin number.  A few of the banks that are being targeted are Happy State Bank, Education Credit Union and Amarillo National Bank.

Now it is unclear how many people believed this message and called.  But the officials at the banks are warning not to call the number!  Instead you should contact your bank directly and then the police.

Most banks would never send out a text message about deactivation.  Here is a statement found on the Happy State Bank website:

"PLEASE BE AWARE OF A TEXTING SCAM USING LOCAL PHONE NUMBER that is being sent as a text message to Happy State Bank customers claiming to be from Happy State Bank. The text says "HAPPY STATE BANK ALERT. Your CARD has been DEACTIVATED. Please call 806-576-XXXX." (We intentionally are not repeating the full phone number here) Once the phone number is called, a recorded voice will ask you to enter in your full 16-digit card number and your PIN. DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER AND DO NOT ENTER ANY INFORMATION. We will NEVER send you a text message nor an email to notifiy our customers that their card has been deactivated and we will never ask for your 16-digit card number and your PIN number to reactivate your card! IF YOU DID CALL THIS NUMBER AND ENTERED ANY INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL US AT 1-866-958-2867 TO HAVE YOUR CARD TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY."

If you have any questions about your account, you can always contact your bank.

More From 101.9 The Bull