Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is alerting Hoosiers about a telephone scam that attempts to obtain residents' bank account or social security numbers and other personal identifying information. The callers indicate new Social Security Cards or free medical cards are being sent and they need to verify some personal information.

Carter says this scam is particularly disturbing since the ploy can often trick people into thinking they must comply or face difficulties later if they don't receive a new social security card.

"Remember, the federal government and legitimate businesses will not ask you for bank account or social security numbers over the phone," said Carter.

People must guard their personal and financial information carefully from unsolicited callers.

Carter stressed that bad things can happen when the wrong people get a hold of social security, bank account, and credit card numbers.

"Accounts can be drained before you realize what has happened, and fraudulent credit established under your name," Carter said. "Rectifying these events can take several years and hundreds of dollars."

If citizens receive a call, they are urged to hang up and report the call to the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Division online at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral or by calling 1-800-382-5516.