Pennsylvania AG Warns of New ‘Phishing’ Email Scam

Jake Bauer

Jake Bauer

Published February 5, 2016 12:00 am
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10429394_10152708262731981_2967945905952776784_nHARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane’s office today warned Pennsylvanians of a new “phishing” email scam in which scammers have misrepresented themselves as being affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Federal Trade Commission recently reported these emails are allegedly sent with the subject line “Get Protected.” When opened, the emails state the SSA is offering new features to help taxpayers protect their personal identification with a link to an outside website. Recipients who click this link are then vulnerable to viruses and spyware, according to the FTC.

The link may also take consumers to a website designed to look like the one managed by the SSA. Scammers may ask for bank account numbers, Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information. At this time, the SSA is not offering such a program.

The Attorney General’s office annually receives complaints regarding various “phishing scams,” which are designed to procure sensitive information for malicious reasons. The FTC and the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection offer the following advice for consumers:

Consumers with questions or who feel they have been victimized by email scams may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov. The Bureau is also available by phone at 800-441-2555 or by email at consumers@attorneygeneral.gov.

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