ATLANTA (GA) – The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) would like to alert the public of a phishing e-mail scam that is being sent to some EPPICard debit cardholders. Phishing is a type of scam designed to steal an individual's personal information. OCSS does not request information such as social security numbers, card numbers or PIN numbers via e-mail from EPPICardholders. We ask our customers not to respond to email requests for this information. Please see the Protect Yourself link on www.eppicard.com for ways of avoiding identity theft. Being informed is your best defense.

“We believe that being proactive is in our customer’s best interest,” says OCSS Director Keith Horton. “It is important that the public is aware of this scheme which takes money out of the hands of deserving Georgian citizens.”

ACS State and Local Solutions is reporting that customers have been receiving these phishing e-mails throughout the country; however none are currently reported in Georgia. If you believe your card account has been compromised, please call the number on the back of your EPPICard and speak to a customer service representative (if we have the number may be good to include in the release as well).

OCSS manages more than 410,000 cases. During fiscal year 2007, more than $651 million was collected and distributed to Georgia’s families.