Attorney General's News Release

May 20, 2008

Scam artists targeting local credit union customers in KC area with phishing scam, Nixon warns

Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Jay Nixon says Kansas City-area consumers are receiving phone calls, text messages and e-mails that appear to be from Mazuma Credit Union, but actually are from identity thieves. Official-sounding messages say the customer's account has been suspended because of fraud, then asks them to call a phone number or visit a Web site to reactivate the account. When they call the number, consumers are asked for their account information.

"This is phishing scam - nothing more," said Nixon. "These crooks send messages that look and sound official, but it's important to remember never to give out personal information to anyone who's contacted you."

Phishing is an attempt by identity thieves to trick consumers into giving out valuable personal information, such as bank account or credit card numbers. Nixon says any contact that appears to be from a financial institution asking for account information is a scam. Instead, he says consumers should call the legitimate phone number of the credit union or bank and report the contact.

Missourians should never divulge their personal information to anyone who calls or e-mails them. Nixon says Mazuma and other legitimate organizations will never call or e-mail consumers asking for account numbers. Consumers can report phishing or other fraud at the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or his Web site, ago.mo.gov.

Take the Attorney General's online quiz on identity theft

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818