State Treasurer Clint Zweifel is warning Missourians of a phishing scam in which e-mails request personal information in order to receive unclaimed property from the state.
Zweifel says the e-mails ask for personal information, then request payment. In the e-mail a person or group posing as an assistant to the State Treasurer indicates the recipient might have unclaimed property being held by the office. Zweifel says he isn’t sure whether the scam is after information to be used in an identity theft scheme or whether it simply is trying to make a quick grab for cash or, perhaps, a bit of both.
“Missourians should know that no unsolicited e-mails from my office regarding unclaimed property are ever sent out, and that my office never charges to return unclaimed property,” Zweifel says. “Additionally, the Office of Administration has confirmed that no personal data my office maintains has been compromised.”
Zweifel says his office has notified the Office of Administration and is working with both state and federal officials to attempt to identify the con artist and put a stop to the scam. The Federal Trade Commission has been notified.
More information is available at ShowMeMoney.com.
