Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Halsted Financial Text Scam - Protect Yourself
Halsted Financial Text Scam - Protect Yourself

The Halsted Financial text scam involves scammers posing as debt collectors, often from "Halsted Financial" or similar entities, to steal money or personal information. These scammers send fake debt alerts via text, using threats and intimidation to demand immediate payment, often for illegitimate or non-existent debts. Do not respond, click links, or provide personal information.

Red Flags

  • Urgency and Threats: Scammers create fear, insisting you pay immediately or threatening legal action.
  • Unfamiliar Debt: They may claim you owe a debt you do not recognize, which could be fake, canceled, or past the statute of limitations.
  • Verification: Legitimate collectors must provide details. Scammers often refuse to identify themselves properly or ask for information they should already have.
  • Payment Methods: They often request untraceable payment methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

If you receive such a text, the best action is to delete it, block the number, and report the message to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (.gov) or Office of the Attorney General (.gov).

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