Attorney General's News Release

December 10, 2007

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

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon says Kansas City-area consumers are receiving phone calls that appear to be from Mazuma Credit Union, but actually are from identity thieves. An official-sounding phone call says the customer’s account has been suspended because of fraud, then asks them to call a toll-free number to reactivate the account. When they call the number, consumers are asked for their credit card number.

“This is phishing scam - nothing more,” said Nixon. “These crooks can put together very official sounding phone calls, 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. Nixon says any consumer that gets a phone call or e-mail that appears to be from their financial institution should assume it’s a scam. Instead, he says they 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 personal information. Consumers can report phishing or other fraud at the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 his Web site, ago.mo.gov.

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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 the Press Secretary.

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