Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2016 8:17 am
Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc.
MARICOPA — Representatives from the local Orbitel Communications office are warning Maricopa customers of a possible phishing scam making its way around the community.
Phishing is the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, birth dates or even money, often for malicious reasons, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Several area internet users have complained about an in-app, or in-game, pop-up advertisement appearing on their smartphones. The ad in question offers a $1,000 gift certificate and asks for some personal information in order to disperse it.
Orbitel reps became aware of the phishing scam Thursday morning and began working on ways to notify customers, such as posting to the company’s Facebook page and sending out legitimate emails to current clients.
Orbitel is warning patrons that this fraudulent ad is not coming from the company and no one should provide any information to the scam. Users who have submitted information have claimed they have received a barrage of unwanted spam emails and texts.
Orbitel officials said Orbitel will not partner with any other companies to offer consumers money, gift certificates or gift cards. Orbitel will offer discounts at certain times to new or existing customers but never directly money or gift certificates, local reps said.
Orbitel also serves Pinal County customers in Robson Ranch in Eloy and Saddlebrooke.
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Saturday, June 18, 2016 8:17 am.