FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2014
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a Scam Alert to warn New Mexico businesses and the public about a new phishing scheme. The scammers are sending emails to businesses claiming to be with the Office of the Attorney General and claiming that there has been a complaint filed against the business. The business owners are then asked to click a link to see the “complaint” and that they have ten days to respond. The Office of Attorney General will not, and does not, send emails like the ones being used in this scam which hit New Mexico this week.
“We are reminding New Mexicans to be vigilant to protect themselves from identity theft and financial loss from scammers,” Attorney General Hector Balderas said. “Invoking the Office of the Attorney General in their schemes to defraud New Mexicans demonstrates the lengths scammers will go to and is a reminder for all of us to be alert when it comes to protecting our families from thieves who hide in the dark corners of the Internet.”
Never click on unsolicited links and always call to check with the agency to ensure you are receiving a proper communication. Government and law enforcement agencies to do not send emails of this nature but rather will send you a letter in the mail if you need to respond to the agency regarding a matter.
Please see attached for an example of the emails being sent to New Mexico businesses from the scammers.
If you receive one of these emails, please submit a Consumer Complaint with the New Mexico Office of the
Attorney General.
a. To obtain an electronic copy of the Consumer Complaint, visit our website:
http://www.nmag.gov/uploads/files/ComplaintForms/ConsumerComplaintForm.pdf.
b. Call the Office of the Attorney General at 1-866-627-3249. Se habla español.
c. To obtain a Consumer Complaint in person or by mail, contact our office closest to you:
Albuquerque Office of the Attorney General
111 Lomas Blvd. NW
Suite 120
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 222-9100
408 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe: NM 87501
505-827-6000
Las Cruces Office of the Attorney General
201 N. Church Street
Suite 315
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 526-2280
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