The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS), and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), along with the Office of Attorney General, warn Pennsylvanians to stay vigilant after a scam was reported involving someone posing as a commonwealth employee. The reported scam used a fake email resembling an official commonwealth email address to target older Pennsylvanians and request money through licensed financial institutions to receive a fake inheritance.

People who receive suspicious emails or texts or messages about earning money or an inheritance from a stranger should not respond or feel pressured to act quickly. People should also check email addresses, watch out for fake websites, and be aware that Pennsylvania agencies will not threaten immediate action without proper notice.

Anyone who is contacted in a suspicious manner should not provide any personal or financial information or send money and should report the incident to PID or DoBS at 866-PAComplaint or http://www.pa.gov/consume. Anyone who feels they have been scammed may file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 800-441-2555.

Governor Josh Shapiro has directed his administration and state agencies to use all available resources to protect Pennsylvanians and fight scams and fraud. State departments are working with law enforcement to track and stop these fraudulent activities. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to help spread the word to prevent others from becoming victims.