Phishing scams targeting Mississippians | Crime

(WMC-TV) – Officials are warning people in Mississippi to be cautious when they answer their phones.

Attorney General Jim Hood says scam artists have been targeting the state’s residents with phishing scams in recent weeks.

“The automated calls, texts or emails are typically made under the pretense of activating a debit card and ask the recipient to provide their debit card number and PIN for identification,” said a spokesman from Hood’s office.

The scams have fraudulently used the names of a number of financial institutions including Magnolia Savings, Magnolia Federal Credit Union or Bancorp South.

“We believe these phishing attempts are done at random and are not targeted towards any specific financial institution,” said Hood. “We are currently working with the financial institutions and various federal agencies in an attempt to identify the origin of the calls.”

Experts warn that a bank will never ask for personal or account information.

If you’ve received one of these calls and have provided private information, Hood’s office says you should call your bank immediately. The calls may also be reported to the Public Service Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office 1-800-281-4418.

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