HARRISBURG, PA — In an urgent advisory, Attorney General Michelle Henry has alerted residents of Pennsylvania to a sophisticated phishing scam targeting individuals by exploiting fears of fraudulent activity on their banking accounts. This scam, which has been gaining traction, is designed to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive personal data under the guise of protecting their financial security.
The fraudulent scheme typically begins with an unsolicited communication, often in the form of an email, text message, or phone call, claiming to be from a trusted financial institution. The message warns the recipient of suspicious activity on their account and provides a contact number or requests a reply, ostensibly to secure the account from potential threats.
Once individuals engage with the scammer, they are prompted to provide critical information, including login credentials, account numbers, and personal identifiers such as social security numbers and dates of birth. These details can then be misused for identity theft or unauthorized access to financial accounts.
Attorney General Henry emphasizes the importance of vigilance and caution, reminding the public that legitimate financial institutions will never request sensitive information through unverified communication channels like phone calls, emails, or text messages. “If you receive such a call, email, or text, do not respond,” she advises, underscoring the need for individuals to directly contact their financial institution using the official contact information found on their bank card or through a verified branch office.
The Attorney General’s Office urges those who believe they have been targeted by such scams to report the incident to the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Victims can submit a complaint through the official website, contact the office by email (scams@attorneygeneral.gov), or call the designated hotline (1-800-441-2555) for assistance. These steps are crucial in helping protect others from falling prey to similar fraudulent activities and in aiding law enforcement efforts to combat these schemes.
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