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Identity Theft Scam targets Texas Debit Card users
Parents who use the Texas Debit Card to access their child support payments should beware of a new identity theft scam which targets EPPICard users. The Texas Attorney General's Office and government agencies in 14 other states use EPPICards, which are known locally as the Texas Debit Card, to disburse child support payments.
According to the Internet Complaint Center, EPPICard users nationwide have reported receiving email, voice and text messages falsely indicating problems with their accounts. Card users are directed to update their accounts or correct a problem by clicking on a web link included within the message. The link directs the individuals to a fraudulent website where their personal information, such as account number and PIN, is compromised. Recipients of these messages also may be directed to call a phone number.
EPPICard users have also reported receiving an email message offering payments to those who complete an online survey. At the end of the survey, users are asked for their EPPICard account information so funds can be credited to the account. By providing the requested information, users put their financial information at risk.
EPPICard providers indicate they are not affiliated with survey websites and do not solicit personal information via email or text messages.
Texas Debit Card users should be vigilant and avoid this new twist on old email scheme. Parents should never open unsolicited emails or click on web links which appear in an unsolicited email. Doing so could activate hidden viruses or other malicious software or direct users to a decoy website which allows identity thieves to collect the information they need to empty the users' bank accounts and ruin their credit.
Texas Debit Card users who have questions about their account should call the program's toll-free hotline at (866) 729-6159. Parents also may call the toll-free number to check account balances and obtain transaction histories.
More than 280,000 Texas parents served by the child support program use the Texas Debit Card as a convenient alternative to receiving child support payments by cash or check. Parents who receive fraudulent emails regarding account information or survey requests should notify the Internet Complaint Center by filing an online complaint at www.ic3.gov.
According to the Internet Complaint Center, EPPICard users nationwide have reported receiving email, voice and text messages falsely indicating problems with their accounts. Card users are directed to update their accounts or correct a problem by clicking on a web link included within the message. The link directs the individuals to a fraudulent website where their personal information, such as account number and PIN, is compromised. Recipients of these messages also may be directed to call a phone number.
EPPICard users have also reported receiving an email message offering payments to those who complete an online survey. At the end of the survey, users are asked for their EPPICard account information so funds can be credited to the account. By providing the requested information, users put their financial information at risk.
EPPICard providers indicate they are not affiliated with survey websites and do not solicit personal information via email or text messages.
Texas Debit Card users should be vigilant and avoid this new twist on old email scheme. Parents should never open unsolicited emails or click on web links which appear in an unsolicited email. Doing so could activate hidden viruses or other malicious software or direct users to a decoy website which allows identity thieves to collect the information they need to empty the users' bank accounts and ruin their credit.
Texas Debit Card users who have questions about their account should call the program's toll-free hotline at (866) 729-6159. Parents also may call the toll-free number to check account balances and obtain transaction histories.
More than 280,000 Texas parents served by the child support program use the Texas Debit Card as a convenient alternative to receiving child support payments by cash or check. Parents who receive fraudulent emails regarding account information or survey requests should notify the Internet Complaint Center by filing an online complaint at www.ic3.gov.
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