An individual falsely claiming to be acting on behalf of Bermuda’s financial-services regulator has reportedly called people and sought to get their bank account details.

A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Monetary Authority said today that the bogus caller had used the name “Michael Smith” in what she described as a “telephone phishing attempt”.

The caller has sought to obtain individuals’ banking details and sometimes advised individuals that their bank accounts will be frozen.

“These calls are not legitimate communications from the BMA,” the spokeswoman added.

“The Authority wishes to remind the public that the BMA will never request personal banking details from any person by telephone.

“Members of the public should not provide bank account details, passwords, security information or other personal financial information to anyone making such a request while claiming to represent the BMA.

“This is consistent with the Authority’s previous public warning concerning telephone phishing attempts.”

The BMA advises if there is any doubt as to whether a communication genuinely originates from the BMA, the recipient should independently verify the communication by contacting the Authority at 295-5278.

Anyone receiving a request for banking information purportedly on behalf of the BMA sis advised to contact their bank directly and consider reporting the matter to the Bermuda Police Service.