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NJ Officials Warn Of Phishing Scam Promising Trips On Phony Airline

By David Madden

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A scam that seeks to get you to divulge personal information in return for free air travel has been prevalent off and on for the better part of a year. Last week, it surfaced in South Jersey and people are being warned to stay clear of the "offer".

It's a phishing expedition and it could leave you hooked as the victim of an identity thief. It almost worked on one Gloucester County resident who took his concerns to law enforcement.

County freeholder Lyman Barnes says the letter looks legit, at first glance.

"It makes it look like it is either US Air or American Airlines. It actually says 'US Airlines', which is not a real airline carrier."

That's your first clue something's funny here.

"They make it appear to the person that they've won a free trip and really what they're trying to do is collect as much personal information as they can from people."

Never, ever submit personal information without checking on its authenticity first. Better yet, Barnes suggests you just get rid of the letter with the rest of your junk mail.

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