Whidbey Island Bank customers hit with debits from Saudi Arabia
Mar 8, 2013, 12:16 PM | Updated: 12:58 pm
Accounts belonging to several Whidbey Island Bank customers were targeted by thieves in Saudi Arabia, who withdrew thousands of dollars on Thursday, KIRO Radio has learned.
The bank confirmed the fraud Friday, but said that fewer than 20 of their customers were affected.
Mary Moore Bailey, vice president and marketing manager of Whidbey Island Bank, declined to say how much money was stolen, but said it was a “minor inconvenience” to customers.
An Arlington woman, who asked to speak on the condition on anonymity, said she found out about the fraud after her card was declined at the grocery store. After checking with the bank, she realized her account was $2,399.64 in the negative.
Bailey said an investigation is underway to find out why the customers and the bank were targeted.
“We’re going to be doing what we need to be doing to protect the bank, obviously,” she said. “But people do need to be aware that there is a lot of fraud out there.”
Those affected will have their accounts refunded, Bailey said.
