Post by TonyV on Sept 30, 2018 14:53:59 GMT -5
There is a new post published on the UAWLAP.org Site.
Details of the post follow.
Beshear: Scam Switches Your Bank Deposit to a Con Artist’s Account
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Beshear: Scam Switches Your Bank Deposit to a Con Artist’s Account
Hoax letter, call targeting Kentuckians’ Social Security and veteran benefits
FRANKFORT, KY. (Sept. 28, 2018) – Attorney General Andy Beshear is warning
senior citizens and military veterans to be wary of a new scam that attempts to
switch their monthly bank deposit to a con artist’s bank account.
Beshear’s office has recently received reports from seniors and veterans in
Edmonson, Fayette, Jefferson and Spencer counties who say scammers tried to
steal their monthly Social Security or veteran benefit.
Beshear said that this week his office was able to help one of the veterans
scammed recover $3,169.
The scam begins by someone pretending to be an employee of a bank, the Social
Security Administration or a veteran organization, and claims the victim’s
benefit deposit must be ‘reverified’ following ‘suspicious activity.’
Once the victim provides their personal, banking and account login information,
the scammer has what they need to steal the victim’s identity and make
unauthorized direct deposit changes.
“Con artists will stop at nothing to steal, including targeting seniors who
rely on their benefits as a large portion of their income after retirement,”
said Beshear. “Thanks to those making reports to our office, we know that this
scam is trending in the state and it is especially critical that Kentuckians
validate any benefit changes directly with the legitimate organization.”
Beshear’s office indicates identity thieves and mobile deposit scams are
increasing as online banking advances allow Kentuckians to change their own
mobile deposit routing information online or through smartphone apps.
The availability of mobile deposits can also result in con artists targeting
unsuspecting victims to transfer money to the scammer using pre-paid credit and
gift cards, which are most difficult to trace.
Kentuckians can avoid many scams by following these essential steps.
Do not respond to unknown callers. If you did not initiate contact with the
Social Security Administration or the Veterans Benefits Administration, and are
randomly contacted by them – it is most likely a scam.
Never provide your personal, financial or account login information to unknown,
unverified people. Always contact the legitimate agency independently before any
transaction.
Protect your computer and banking data by using security software, firewalls
and keep security patches and passwords up to date.
Since taking office, Beshear has been working to protect Kentucky families from
scams by issuing an alert when new and trending scams are reported in the
Commonwealth.
Beshear recommends all Kentuckians stay ahead of scammers by signing up for his
office’s Scam Alerts. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV-311 (468-311)
or online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
Beshear has conducted outreach and education programs in more than 180 locations
throughout the state to better protect the senior and veteran population, which
are often targeted by con artists.
Earlier this year, Beshear joined with AARP Kentucky to launch Mission Veterans
Protected (MVP), an outreach program that helps Kentucky’s veteran community
combat the findings in an AARP study where veterans were found to be twice as
likely to fall victim to fraud when compared to nonveterans. The MVP website has
a complete list of the top-10 scams that most frequently target veterans and
tips on how to avoid falling victim.
Beshear encourages Kentuckians to report scams and identity theft via his
office’s online form.
Link to the post:
uawlap.org/uaw/cap-uaw/beshear-scam-switches-your-bank-deposit-to-a-con-artists-account.php
Link to UAWLAP.org: uawlap.org
Details of the post follow.
Beshear: Scam Switches Your Bank Deposit to a Con Artist’s Account
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Beshear: Scam Switches Your Bank Deposit to a Con Artist’s Account
Hoax letter, call targeting Kentuckians’ Social Security and veteran benefits
FRANKFORT, KY. (Sept. 28, 2018) – Attorney General Andy Beshear is warning
senior citizens and military veterans to be wary of a new scam that attempts to
switch their monthly bank deposit to a con artist’s bank account.
Beshear’s office has recently received reports from seniors and veterans in
Edmonson, Fayette, Jefferson and Spencer counties who say scammers tried to
steal their monthly Social Security or veteran benefit.
Beshear said that this week his office was able to help one of the veterans
scammed recover $3,169.
The scam begins by someone pretending to be an employee of a bank, the Social
Security Administration or a veteran organization, and claims the victim’s
benefit deposit must be ‘reverified’ following ‘suspicious activity.’
Once the victim provides their personal, banking and account login information,
the scammer has what they need to steal the victim’s identity and make
unauthorized direct deposit changes.
“Con artists will stop at nothing to steal, including targeting seniors who
rely on their benefits as a large portion of their income after retirement,”
said Beshear. “Thanks to those making reports to our office, we know that this
scam is trending in the state and it is especially critical that Kentuckians
validate any benefit changes directly with the legitimate organization.”
Beshear’s office indicates identity thieves and mobile deposit scams are
increasing as online banking advances allow Kentuckians to change their own
mobile deposit routing information online or through smartphone apps.
The availability of mobile deposits can also result in con artists targeting
unsuspecting victims to transfer money to the scammer using pre-paid credit and
gift cards, which are most difficult to trace.
Kentuckians can avoid many scams by following these essential steps.
Do not respond to unknown callers. If you did not initiate contact with the
Social Security Administration or the Veterans Benefits Administration, and are
randomly contacted by them – it is most likely a scam.
Never provide your personal, financial or account login information to unknown,
unverified people. Always contact the legitimate agency independently before any
transaction.
Protect your computer and banking data by using security software, firewalls
and keep security patches and passwords up to date.
Since taking office, Beshear has been working to protect Kentucky families from
scams by issuing an alert when new and trending scams are reported in the
Commonwealth.
Beshear recommends all Kentuckians stay ahead of scammers by signing up for his
office’s Scam Alerts. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV-311 (468-311)
or online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
Beshear has conducted outreach and education programs in more than 180 locations
throughout the state to better protect the senior and veteran population, which
are often targeted by con artists.
Earlier this year, Beshear joined with AARP Kentucky to launch Mission Veterans
Protected (MVP), an outreach program that helps Kentucky’s veteran community
combat the findings in an AARP study where veterans were found to be twice as
likely to fall victim to fraud when compared to nonveterans. The MVP website has
a complete list of the top-10 scams that most frequently target veterans and
tips on how to avoid falling victim.
Beshear encourages Kentuckians to report scams and identity theft via his
office’s online form.
Link to the post:
uawlap.org/uaw/cap-uaw/beshear-scam-switches-your-bank-deposit-to-a-con-artists-account.php
Link to UAWLAP.org: uawlap.org