PAW PAW — The Michigan State Police (MSP) Fraud Investigation Team (West) detectives are warning the public about some ongoing online bank fraud activity first discovered in November of 2023. Members of local banks and credit unions in Southwest Michigan have fallen victim at an alarming rate by clicking on spoofed text messages claiming to be from their bank or credit union, according to DuWayne Robinson, public information officer for Michigan State Police.

Suspects are gaining access to the member’s online bank account after members click on a fraudulent text message containing a link that directs them to a fake website that looks identical to their normal financial institution’s website. Members are unknowingly logging into the fraudulent website with their username login, password, and security questions, thus providing the information directly to the suspects.