Attorney General Tom Corbett urged Pennsylvania residents to be watchful for telephone calls, text messages or emails - supposedly from banks or credit card companies - asking consumers to provide their debit card or credit card account information.

"These bogus 'security alerts' typically warn that credit card or bank accounts may have been compromised and ask consumers to respond by 'confirming' or 'verifying' their account numbers," Corbett said. "The sole purpose of these calls and messages is to convince unwary victims to reveal their account numbers and passwords so that thieves can steal money from their bank accounts or make large purchases with their credit cards."

Corbett said that identity thieves are always looking for ways to disguise their schemes and reach out to new potential victims. They use live operators and automated calls, along with authentic-looking email or text messages, all disguised as communication from banks, credit card companies or other legitimate businesses.

Corbett noted that the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection has been receiving an increasing number of complaints about unwanted "account security" calls and messages all across the state.

Corbett stressed that legitimate businesses will not call or message consumers asking them to provide their entire account number, password or PIN number - so any request for that level of detailed personal information should be a clear warning sign of a scam.

"While some businesses may contact consumers to alert them about potential problems with their accounts, they will not ask individuals to divulge all of their account information by phone or email," Corbett said. "If you do receive a message asking for detailed account information, contact your bank or credit card directly - using the customer service hotline printed on your card or monthly statement - to report the scam attempt and also to verify that your account is secure."

Corbett said that any consumer who suspects they have accidentally divulged personal information in response to a scam should immediately contact their bank or credit card company to stop any unauthorized withdrawals or charges to their accounts.

Additionally, Corbett recommended that consumers review information included in the "Identity Theft Toolkit" section of the Attorney General website - including tips for preventing ID Theft along with instructions for responding to the theft or loss of personal information.

Consumers with questions or concerns about telephone and electronic message scams, or other consumer problems, can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection toll-free hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or file an online complaint using the Attorney General's website: www.attorneygeneral.gov.