Multiple Utah state agencies warn of bogus emails, phishing scam
Jan 10, 2022, 1:58 PM | Updated: 4:50 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Several state agencies warned that scammers are targeting residents with bogus emails that exposed residents to a potential phishing scam.
The emails pretended to originate from MVD, DPS, the Department of Health, and the state Tax Commission.
In the case of the Department of Health, the scammers sent a fake text message under the guise of a “UTAH COVID-19 Vaccine Status Validation.”
It told residents to go to a website where they would validate their vaccination status on an embedded form. It falsely tells recipients the validation is required by the CDC and Utah DMV. The validation is not a real requirement.
A news release said the scam apparently targeted people in Weber and Morgan counties, who reported it to the Weber-Morgan Health Department
The scam text also asks for your name, date of birth, social security, and driver’s license number. It also asks for weight and zip code, but it does not ask about your COVID-19 status.
The state warned this is a scam and you should not share any of this information.
Utah state government departments don’t require you to verify your vaccination status.
The Tax Commission also reported a phishing scam.
Those emails try to lure you with a variety of subject lines including ‘payments’, ‘refunds’, ‘filing status’, ‘confirming personal information,’ and ‘ordering transcripts’.
Also included are links that could send you to fraudulent websites that try to trick people into sharing social security numbers, logins, and other information.
To make matters worse, the commission said the emails may carry malware that could infect your computer or device and give scammers access to your information.
“If you receive an unsolicited email that appears to be from the Utah Tax Commission, do not click on links or provide personal information,” said Scott Smith, executive director of the Tax Commission. “While the Tax Commission may send an email in response to a request initiated by a taxpayer, such as a password reset, the Tax Commission generally does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.”
If you think you may have been duped by one of the emails call Customer Service at 801-297-2200.
