Scam e-mail claims to be from Oregon AG

Have you received an email with the subject line “Administrative Office” that looks like it came from the Oregon attorney general?

The email claims you are delinquent on a payday loan and must make payment to avoid legal consequences. Finally, it asks you to click on a link or an attachment for more information or to reply to the email.

These emails pull out all the stops to look official: They refer to the attorney general by name (Ellen F. Rosenblum), have an Oregon Department of Justice seal, references to state and federal consumer protection laws, and what look like real Oregon Department of Justice links.

The truth is that they’re fakes.

“Neither the Attorney General, nor the Oregon Department of Justice, would ever send you an email like this. The only emails you will receive from me are about scams or other matters impacting the public, and you have to sign up at my website to receive those. I would also never ask you to make a payment to avoid a legal consequence.” said the real Attorney General Rosenblum.

If you get an email like this, don’t open it. Don’t reply and don’t click on the links. If you click on a link, it may install malware on your computer. Malware can cause your device to crash and can be used to monitor and control your online activity, steal your personal information, send spam, and commit fraud.

If you think you have fallen victim to this scam, contact the Oregon Department of Justice online atwww.oregonconsumer.govor call 1-877-877-9392.