Weeks after KSRM’s initial reports about a cell phone phishing scam circulating the Kenai area, the problem is still active, and Attorney General Kevin Clarkson is alerting Alaskans about the problem spreading and what to do about it.
The phishing scam sends a text or email to residents in Alaska claiming that their credit union account has been suspended, and the recipient must click a link and provide information to unlock it.
Scams where people pose as representatives of a major company to gain access to a user’s information are common phishing schemes, Attorney General Kevin G. Clarkson said in a news release. “Scammers are good at mimicking trusted businesses. We all have to be vigilant in protecting our personal information, and in reporting suspected scams to the authorities.”
Scammers are targeting the 907 area code, and people who don’t have an account with Alaska USA could still receive a message, according to Dan McCue, senior vice president of corporate relations for Alaska USA. The company encourages people not to click on the link or provide any personal information.
McCue added that Alaska USA will never contact customers by text or email asking them to click on a link to reactivate an account. Residents are encouraged to call the company at its public phone number and ask for a representative if an unexpected email is received and it is unclear if it is a scam.
Residents who responded to such a scam are encouraged to call Alaska USA and also report the incident to identitytheft.gov.