SKOWHEGAN -- For the second time in two weeks, police and bank officials on Wednesday reported a fraudulent e-mail-and-telephone scam involving Skowhegan Savings Bank customers who are told their accounts are being suspended.

Skowhegan Police Chief Mike Emmons said police and bank officials have received a rash of complaints that customers are being asked to provide their account numbers to reopen suspended accounts.

Emmons said the volume of calls from customers was so high on Wednesday, he had to send an officer to the bank in person to talk to them about the problem.

The bank, meanwhile, issued a warning to consumers to beware of renewed phishing attacks, said Marketing Officer Karen Hart.

"Phishing" is when criminals use spoof e-mails and now, voice messages, using fraudulent web sites and telephone numbers to attempt to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data, she said.

"We would never ask for personal information via e-mail or telephone unless the consumer initiates the contact." Hart said. "You should never give out your personal financial information in response to an unsolicited phone call, fax, or e-mail, no matter how official it may seem."

She urged people who responded to a fraudulent e-mail or telephone call to contact the bank immediately, so it can protect their account and identity.

"We have not made these phone calls and would like to reassure our customers that their financial information is secure," Hart said.