ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS OF NEW E-MAIL SCAM
PROMISING LOTTERY WINNINGS

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. is warning Marylanders about another Internet scam that tries to get people to disclose personal information such as credit card and bank account numbers.

The Massachusetts State Lottery recently warned officials in other states that a fraudulent Web site called www.mass-lottery.org has been emailing and text-messaging individuals worldwide in an effort to get them to visit its site. The Web site is an exact duplicate of the real Massachusetts State Lottery Web site (www.masslottery.com). The messages suggest that the recipient has won $30,000 in a Massachusetts lottery, and gives a password and user name. When the person goes to the Web site and enters the password and user name, he or she is asked for very detailed personal and financial information, including credit card and bank account numbers.

The www.mass-lottery.org site apparently has been shut down, but Attorney General Curran warns consumers to always be wary of any such messages they may receive in the future.

"If someone says you have won a contest or lottery that you did not enter, that should be a red flag," he said. "Any time you are solicited by e-mail to give personal information such as your Social Security Number, credit card or bank account number, don’t give it. Con artists are coming up with creative ways to trick you into giving that information. Don’t be fooled."

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