Bend bank prevents scam targeting customer – but scammer calls in bomb threat, prompting evacuation

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An attempt to scam a First Interstate Bank customer out of his money was thwarted Friday afternoon by workers at a northeast Bend branch -- but the scammer then called in a bomb threat, prompting the bank's evacuation and a major police call-out.

Around 2 p.m. Friday, Bend Police responded to a report of a bomb threat at the First Interstate Bank on NE Third Street, Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.  

Bank employees and customers evacuated to a nearby parking lot.  

During an investigation, Miller said, officers learned that a customer, who is a senior, had come to the bank to withdraw funds. When bank employees determined the customer was likely being scammed, they turned the customer away and declined to process the transaction.  

While the customer was still on site, the scammer called the bank and reported there was a bomb in the parking lot, Miller said

Officers used a drone to search the parking lot and bank. A team of officers then completed a similar search and determined there was no threat to the area, Miller said.  

There was a large police presence in the area as officers investigated, and roads in the area were closed for about 25 minutes. 

"This remains an active investigation," Miller added.