Suffolk PD Warns of Text Message Scam

Suffolk County Police Department warns residents against a new scam sent via text message to obtain your personal information. The text messages claim to be from different financial institutions, government agencies and sometimes merchants, authorities said.

Emails and phone calls are also being used to solicit this personal identifying information. The public is reminded to never reveal their personal identifying information to anyone who has made an unsolicited contact by phone, e-mail, or text message.

To prevent becoming a victim of a scam, the Identity Theft Unit recommends residents verify any request through independent means before releasing any of your personal information.

Call the local office of the government agency or business through a publicly listed or verified phone number to verify that the caller and any request for personal information is legitimate and required. Financial institutions will not request account information through these unsolicited communications.

For more information regarding identity theft prevention and resolution, visit the police department's website at www.suffolkpd.org and click on the ID Theft Unit link.