FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2018
Contact: David Carl (505) 288-2465
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas cautioned New Mexico consumers not to submit their banking information over the internet—unless consumers have initiated contact with the bank. The advisory came after the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General received several reports of scammers receiving banking account numbers through ‘phishing’ for information on a banking website.
“New Mexicans need to be aware of potential scammers doing everything they can to take their hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “These scammers are getting better at disguising themselves every day and will stop at nothing in their attempts to get into New Mexicans’ wallets.”
In this situation, the fraudulent banking website created by scammers, displayed an alert that read “Security Alert: Suspicious Login Noticed.” The scammers attached a link near that alert, and consumers were asked to enter their bank information, passwords, debit card numbers and personal identification (PIN) numbers on the new link.
That link was not affiliated with, or under control of the bank, and people who enter the requested information are handing it directly over to scammers.
The Office of Attorney General Hector Balderas employs advocates to help consumers who encounter scams, faulty products and broken promises. Those who think they may have been scammed can file a complaint at the Attorney General’s website at www.nmag.gov or call (505) 717-3500 in Albuquerque, (505) 490-4060 in Santa Fe, or toll-free statewide 1-844-255-9210.