Text scam targets Ohio welfare recipients

COLUMBUS (AP) — Authorities are warning of a new scam preying on needy Ohioans who receive assistance payments from the state through debit cards.

Attorney General Richard Cordray says some welfare recipients have received text messages telling them their cards have been frozen. The scam’s targets are instructed to call a phone number, where they’re prompted to enter account and PIN numbers.

Cordray says doing so opens the door to fraud. He says consumers should never provide private account information to unidentified sources.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says it does not text or call assistance recipients asking for personal information.

Cordray says he has received 10 complaints about this scam, primarily from central and southern Ohio.