BISMARCK, N.D. (Attorney General) – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is warning all North Dakota residents about another new twist to an old scam.

The old scam – an email or text “notification” that a charge has supposedly been made to your Amazon or Apple account – has an updated twist. Victims are now being directed to send or upload a copy of their driver’s license to “verify” their identity. The driver’s license contains personal information that the scam artist can use to steal the victim’s identity and open new accounts in their name.

“Never, ever, provide a copy of your driver’s license in response to these types of notifications. If that’s what you are told to do, then you know it’s a scam,” said Stenehjem. “The real customer service people at Amazon and Apple don’t want your driver’s license and would never ask for it.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division reports that some victims have been directed to take a photo of themselves holding their driver’s license. There is also the possibility that the driver’s license photo can be used to sidestep multi-factor identification screenings, giving the scam artist direct access to the victim’s existing financial accounts.

Parrell Grossman, director of the Consumer Protection division, reminded consumers not to click on links in emails or text message notifications.

“If you really think there might be a problem with your account, close the email or text message, open the App you usually use, and check your account that way,” said Grossman.

Information about scams and preventing identity theft is available from the Consumer Resources page of the Attorney General’s website, www.attorneygeneral.nd.gov.