EMBARQ Warns Customers: Don't Get Hooked by Phishing Scam

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EMBARQ (NYSE: EQ) is warning customers not to fall prey to a scam that could result in identity theft or loss of financial assets. The scam is called "phishing," and most often comes in the form of an email or phone call from a legitimate-looking/sounding source seeking personal information.

"The victim receives an email or phone call that appears to have come from a legitimate company asking them to provide information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, account passwords, social security number, and date of birth so they can allegedly update their records," said Dallas Hayden, manager of Investigations and Law Enforcement Support at EMBARQ.

"In reality, the message is from a scammer who is trying to steal the victim's identity," said Hayden. "The imposter will later use this information, or sell it to someone else, to drain the victim's bank account, run up huge debts on credit cards, or establish bogus credit accounts creating a financial nightmare for the unsuspecting victim."

Hayden warns that customers should not respond to such emails or phone calls, but delete them or hang up immediately. "If people have questions about a communication they received, they should call the bank or other institution that the message allegedly came from," Hayden said.

Hayden stressed that EMBARQ does not contact its customers seeking personal or financial information. If an EMBARQ customer gets an email, phone call, or even a personal visit from someone saying they are from EMBARQ seeking such information, they should immediately question the intent and delete the email, terminate the phone call, or ask the visitor to leave and shut the door. If they have questions, they should call the customer service number that appears on their bills.

"Phishing has been around for a few years, but its level of sophistication continues to increase along with technology. Regrettably, it is just one of many scams against which the public must defend itself," said Hayden.

EMBARQ recently highlighted several additional scams. For information on those scams, see embarq.com/scam.

About EMBARQ

Embarq Corporation (NYSE: EQ) , headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a complete suite of common sense communications services. The company has approximately 19,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ, which is expected to rank among the Fortune 500, is included in the S&P 500.

For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed Internet, wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R) -- all on one monthly bill.

For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated services designed to help businesses of all sizes be more productive and communicate with their customers. This service portfolio includes local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class DSL, wireless, enhanced data network services, voice and data communication equipment and managed network services.

EMBARQ believes that by focusing on the communities the company serves and by employing common sense and practical ingenuity, it is able to provide customers with a committed partner, dedicated customer service and innovative products for work and home. For more information, visit embarq.com.