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State officials warn of personal ID scam |
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By Sioux Falls Business Journal
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Monday, 19 March 2007 |
Attorney General Larry Long and Roger Novotny, director of the state Division of Banking, are warning consumers about a possible phone scam that lures victims into releasing personal information.
The fraudulent phone calls involve individuals posing as employees of state agencies claiming that they have found the consumer's personal information on the Internet.
The con artist does not ask for personal information during the first call but will do so in a follow-up call.
State agencies do not directly contact consumers or maintain personal financial information.
Although the scam has yet to surface in South Dakota, Long said consumers should be cautious.
"This is just another persistent attempt to gain access to personal identifying information,” Long said. “If you have been contacted by anyone requesting such information, hang up and immediately call either the financial institution in question or the agency they are claiming to be."
Consumers and financial institutions should notify the Consumer Protection Division at (800) 300-1986 or the Division of Banking at (605) 773-3421 if they receive suspicious phone calls. |