Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- A scam warning was issued by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson following reports of malicious emails claiming to be from the SC AG's office.
AG Wilson's office received complaints from residents of seven states who received the false message, bearing the subject line: "Final Legal Notification," and contains information claiming to be an "attorney retainer agreement."
The email also includes the seal of the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, the United States Department of Justice, along with a group called "Law Enforcement Against Prohibition."
The emails are a scare tactic to acquire personal consumer information like social security numbers or banking information, and have included the name of a real attorney located in South Carolina (this attorney is not involved in any way with the fraud.)
The message threatens arrest, claiming to be related to a "legal case in your name," and also threatens to "send police to your mailing address."
All of this is a scam. Do not fall victim to this fraudulent email. Do not call the number included, and do not share any personal information with anyone by by email.
These scam messages have been sent to individuals in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia, who all subsequently contacted AG Wilson's office regarding the email.
The South Carolina Attorney General's office never communicates by mail regarding criminal matters.
If you receive a suspicious email, you are asked to contact Attorney General Alan Wilson's Office by phone at 803-737-3953 to report it.
