New Scam Targeting Montanans

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By Kenneth Wong

Story Published: Oct 28, 2011 at 9:51 PM MST

Story Updated: Oct 28, 2011 at 9:51 PM MST

HELENA - The State Attorney General Office issued a warning to Montanans about a new type of scam.

It is called "Smishing", and it is a form of Phishing, which is a way for scammers to obtain personal information through e-mails that look official. With Smishing, scammers would send out text messages to consumers, asking for personal information. State Attorney General Steve Bullock said Friday that people need to stop and think, before they act.

"What they (people) do is jump on it immediately up front, thinking that 'oh, it is a serious problem', and that's how the scammers try to get us: trying to get at our immediate thoughts and emotions," said Bullock, in a phone interview.

Financial institutions have, throughout the years, told clients that their company will never ask for personal information online. Bullock is asking people to delete the smishing messages when they receive them, and to contact their bank, should a serious question or concern come up.

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Anonymous said on Saturday, Oct 29 at 8:53 AM

Old scam, where is the new one?

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