Cell Phone Scam Returns to ND

| 10/25/2012

The North Dakota Attorney General`s Office is warning residents about a phishing scam that has returned to North Dakota. The scam involves a phony cell phone technician that calls the victim, claiming that work on towers in the area may disrupt service and they need to "confirm" the victim`s personal information.

"Scam artists are successful because the stories they use sound reasonable. Most people are aware that improvements are being made to cellular services across the nation, so it seems plausible when the caller apologizes for possible disruptions," said Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. "The scam artist uses the apology as the hook and the promise of a credit as the bait."

With the information, scam artists can make changes to the account.

"If the caller is legitimate, they will already have your personal and account information from when you opened the account or started receiving the service. If you are asked to confirm account information, hang up immediately," said Consumer Protection Division Director Parrell Grossman.

People who have questions should call Consumer Protection at 800-472-2600.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY