MARLIN (October 8, 2012)--Falls County Sheriff Ben Kirk is warning residents of a recent scam targeting bank customers for identity theft.

In a news release issued Monday afternoon, Kirk said the scam is intended to provide thieves with PIN numbers and other private financial information in order to steal people's identities.

Kirk said his office is involved in an active investigation into the issue.

In some cases information provided to scammers could lead to access to personal and business bank accounts.

Kirk said the latest scams target Bank of America customers.

Kirk said he would remind all customers never to provide private financial information, such as account numbers, passwords or PINs, to anyone.

Kirk said legitimate financial institutions will not use emails or text messages to try to obtain such information from customers.

Anyone with information about such an attempt or anyone who has been taken advantage of is asked to call the Falls County Sheriff's Office at 254-883-1431.