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You are here: Home / Fraud Alerts / Phishing / Police: Email "Phishing Scam" in Jacksonville

Police: Email "Phishing Scam" in Jacksonville

POSTED: 11:22 pm EDT May 14, 2012
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police alerted the public to a scam in which citizens receive an email or text message from their cell phone company requesting payment. The problem is the message is fraudulent. Police said it’s just another way thieves attempt to steal your identity and your money.

“It could really fool people,” said Eddie Quinn.

Last week, Quinn received an email that looked like his monthly Verizon Wireless bill. There was one big difference.

“The bill was normally $120.00, give or take a few odd cents, and this time it was $1,841.99,” Quinn said.

Quinn immediately went to the Verizon store with a copy of the email. Verizon said it was part of a phishing scam.

According to Jacksonville Police, phishing is an attempt to acquire personal information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy company. Police said criminals can use special software to steal personal information from your computer. Alternatively, they may also obtain information from citizens directly via email, phone calls, or texts.

Quinn said the fraudulent bill was emailed to multiple recipients.

“That’s a clue. If it has more than one addressee, they are looking to get some of your money for nothing,” Quinn said.

Lt. Jason Bettis said citizens should not click on links or open attachments in these emails. Bettis said to be on the lookout for grammar and spelling mistakes as well.

Bettis said companies never ask customers to fill in the billing and credit card information in an email.

“They already know it, they already have it, they don’t need for you to give it to them,” he said.

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