MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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June 15, 2008

OKDHS warns of phishing scam

An official with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services said there is an active phishing scam that is targeting OKDHS benefits cardholders.

“Nearly 500,000 debit cardholders in Oklahoma should be on the alert for any suspicious e-mail that may ask for the cardholder’s private information,” said George Earl Johnson, Jr., OKDHS director of communications.

OKDHS has learned through its debit card Web site administrator, Affiliated Computer Services, that the scam is targeting debit cardholders who receive and access their state benefits on the Access Oklahoma Master Card.

Neither OKDHS nor ACS will ever contact cardholders and ask for their debit card information, Johnson said.

“Cardholders who might receive an e-mail asking for their private information are instructed to immediately delete the e-mail and do not, we repeat, do not respond to any of these e-mails,” Johnson said.

If a cardholder has already responded to the e-mail and provided their debit card information, the cardholder should immediately call (888) 401-9843 and have their card canceled. There is no charge to replace the card, as ACS will waive this fee.

Cardholders who respond to the e-mail and provide their debit card information will give the phishing scammers access to their account and risk losing the funds in their account, Johnson said.

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