"Verification" Phishing Scam Hits Indiana

February 19, 2006
Scammers passing themselves off as the "Nationwide Verification Office" have popped up in Indiana this month. Indiana Attorney General Steve Bell says the scam that has targeted mostly seniors in other states has been reported recently all across the Hoosier state.

"Callers representing themselves as from Nationwide Verification Office are calling Hoosiers and selling them a story that their bank accounts have been compromised and they need to verify their routing numbers and other personal information," Carter said.

"It is encouraging that callers to this office have been on alert and not victimized by this scam. Letting the bad guys know we are onto them can help stop this activity."

Similar schemes have been reported recently in Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin.

In some instances, consumers have been told their banking account information has been posted on the Internet and they need to verify the account number so that the information doesn�t "get into the wrong hands."

Illinois residents were asked for their account information so that it can be deleted from a so-called "federal banking system." Consumers are asked to verify their bank account number, or to read it and the bank routing numbers found at the bottom of their checks.

Carter is warning Hoosiers to guard their personal and financial information carefully from unsolicited callers.

"Bad things can happen when the wrong people get a hold of social security, bank account, and credit card numbers," Carter added.

"Accounts can be drained before you realize what has happened, and fraudulent credit established under your name. Rectifying these events can take years and hundreds of dollars."

Consumers contacted by the so-called Nationwide Verification Office are urged to hang up and report the call to authorities in their state.

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