Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a warning to the public about a new wave of fraudulent emails that are attempting to deceive individuals into providing their personal information. Scammers are using Paxton's name, signature, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Seal to carry out their malicious activities.
The OAG has uncovered several examples of these fraudulent emails, with scammers posing as representatives from the Social Security Board. These emails falsely claim that the recipient's social security number is at risk of suspension due to alleged involvement in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, theft, and tax evasion. In an attempt to deceive individuals further, the scammers provide a toll-free phone number that recipients are instructed to call in order to resolve the issue.
Attorney General Paxton urges recipients of these emails to exercise caution and refrain from calling the provided number or sharing any personal information. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these emails as phishing scams and avoiding falling victim to identity theft or financial fraud.
This is not the first time that scammers have attempted to exploit Attorney General Paxton's signature and seal. Similar phishing campaigns were reported in 2019 and 2022, indicating an ongoing threat to the public. Recognizing the severity of this issue, Paxton encourages anyone who receives such emails or any other suspicious communication to report it immediately to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
To report suspected fraud, individuals can call the toll-free number 1-800-621-0508 or file an online complaint on the Texas Attorney General's official website at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint.
In conclusion, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is urging the public to remain vigilant and cautious when it comes to emails requesting personal information. By staying informed and reporting any suspicious activity, individuals can help protect themselves and others from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
Click this link to access more information: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/consumer-alert-beware-fraudulent-emails-attempting-steal-personal-information-using-attorney-general