CONSUMER ALERT

FRAUDULENT UNCLAIMED PROPERTY EMAIL SPAMMED WORLDWIDE

Consumer Alert! The Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office has issued a consumer alert regarding a fraudulent email distributed worldwide. A man named Mr. Jeff Smith is alleging to be the Director of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). Mr. Jeff Smith DOES NOT work for NAUPA and is NOT affiliated with NAUPA in any manner. The email states that NAUPA is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and that NAUPA returns unclaimed property to rightful owners. THIS IS FALSE! In Connecticut, the Office of the State Treasurer has the responsibility of reuniting rightful owners with their unclaimed property.

The email requests recipients to email personal contact information to an attorney in the United Kingdom. Once the recipient sends contact information a second email is generated requesting bank account information for delivery of money.

The State Treasurer’s Office urges consumers to be vigilant and not respond to fraudulent emails or provide banking information to unknown sources. If you receive this email you are encouraged to delete the message or report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

There are two ways to search for unclaimed property – free of charge:

1. Visit the Treasury’s official website, www.CTBigList.com. Enter your name, download a claim form and follow the instructions; or

2. Call 1-800-833-7318, weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.