Pennsylvanian EPPICard Beneficiaries Warned of Phishing Scam

Acting Secretary for Labor & Industry, Sandi Vito, and Secretary of Public Welfare, Estelle B. Richman, warned on June 27, 2008 that Pennsylvanians, receiving monetary benefits through their debit cards, need to remain alert of ID thieves who are trying to phish for consumers' accounts and grab their balances, as reported by FOXBUSINESS on June 27, 2008.

As per the received reports, people who are receiving the phishing messages in Pennsylvania and being affected include beneficiaries of cash reimbursements and unemployment compensation that the state offers.

Describing the phishing message, security experts said that it involves a text note from someone pretending to represent a legitimate or established organization, and attempting to trick recipients into giving away personal information.

However, according to the received reports, the scam has impacted a small percantage of debit cardholders. Therefore, cardholders with the maximum vulnerability need to exercise caution.

According to Vito, the criminals' act is really unconscionable. Through fraudulent messages that lead to financial outcomes, Vito analyzes that the criminals purposely victimize individuals who have become vulnerable due to reasons like loss of employment or injury and yet trying to maintain stability in their families.

Furthermore, according to Richman, scammers are increasingly becoming refined in their techniques and therefore, people everywhere need to effectively guard their private information from being distributed carelessly.

He added that so far as scams are concerned, every person is likely to become a victim, therefore, it is vital to remain cautious against phishing as well as other online frauds.

Meanwhile, to tell EPPICard users that they could be potentially affected by phishing attacks, EPPICard on its official Website warns consumers about such scams and informs that it does not request for card or personal information over e-mail, SMSs, or phone calls. Thus, the site suggested that such type of surveys and e-mails are simply phony and do not really associate with EPPICard.

Meanwhile, in Mississippi, a similar phishing campaign, during the third week of June 2008, targeted several of its citizens, who receive important payments like child support and unemployment compensation.

Related article: Pennsylvanian State Websites Fall Prey to Hackers

» SPAMfighter News - 7/18/2008