Officals of Whitman-based Mutual Bank are urging the public to beware of a cell phone/identity theft scam, and to contact authorities immediately if they are targeted.

A number of cell phone owners in the region received text messages from a source claiming to be the bank, saying the customer's bank account access had been locked, and urging recipients to call (508) 424-1203 to restore the account. According to Glen S. White, chief executive officer of Mutual Bank, a recorded message then asks for the customers card number and PIN.

"Our bank does not solicit information in this manner," White said.