The FBI is warning residents of central Illinois about a scam involving attempts to get bank debit card information by phone.

The agency received reports of unusual activity Tuesday from banks in central and southern parts of the state, according to Brad Ware of the Springfield office of the FBI.

When a prospective victim's phone rings, caller ID will display "not available" or "private number," the FBI says. An automated recording says "your debit card account has been breached. You need to reset your account by following these steps," beginning with "press 1 to begin."

The victim then is told to enter his 16-digit account number, three-digit security or "Consumer Verification Value" code and four-digit personal identification number.

The scammer then would have all the information necessary to get electronic access to the account.

Ware said the FBI wasn't sure whether the intent of the scammers is to get immediate access or to create duplicate cards to access accounts.

Either way, Ware said, "don't answer your phone and press 1."

No bank would ever need to contact you to get your account information, he said, and banks don't use automated systems to get information from customers.

Anyone who may have been scammed this way should contact his bank immediately, the FBI advises.