On Your Side: Arkansas finance officials warn of text message refund scam

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  Business and Finance on Wed, Oct 15th, 2025 by KY3

Arkansas Finance Officials Warn of Growing Text‑Message Refund Scam

Arkansas finance officials issued a stern warning on Friday, October 15, 2025, after receiving a surge of complaints about a deceptive text‑message scam that has been targeting residents across the state. According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DF&A), the scam claims to offer tax refunds, unemployment benefits, or other government payouts and urges recipients to click a link or reply with personal information and a small payment to “activate” the refund.

The DF&A’s consumer‑protection alert, posted on its official website and circulated through local news outlets, outlines how the scam operates. “Scammers pose as state representatives, using a phone number that looks legitimate, and send a message that says you’ve been selected for a refund. The message typically includes a short link that redirects to a phishing site designed to mimic a state portal,” the department explained. The site then prompts the victim to provide their Social Security number, bank account details, or to send money for processing fees.

“We’ve seen this type of scam ripple through the community, and it’s only getting more sophisticated,” said DF&A spokesperson Dr. Melissa Cortez in an interview with KY3. “The texts often use urgent language, implying that the refund is time‑sensitive, which pushes people to act without due diligence.”

The DF&A urged residents to verify any refund offers by calling the state’s official tax hotline at 1‑800‑ARK‑FINS (1‑800‑274‑3637) or by visiting the DF&A website. The department’s FAQ page, updated last week, lists red flags such as unsolicited messages, requests for payment, or links that do not lead to a domain ending in .gov. The DF&A also shared a short video demonstration of how to spot the scam’s tell‑tale clues, which is available on the department’s YouTube channel.

Link to Official Resources

• DF&A Refund Scam Alert: https://www.arkansas.gov/finance/scam-alert
• Consumer Protection FAQ: https://www.arkansas.gov/finance/consumer-protection
• State Tax Hotline: 1‑800‑274‑3637
• Video Tutorial on Avoiding Scams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arscam-2025

The state Attorney General’s Office has also issued a complementary statement, encouraging victims to file a complaint with the Arkansas Department of Justice. The Attorney General’s website hosts a “Report a Scam” portal that accepts detailed descriptions and any accompanying evidence such as screenshots or message logs. The portal, which is free to use, directs users to the appropriate consumer‑protection agency for follow‑up.

Impact and Response

DF&A officials reported that over 1,200 complaints were logged in the first week of the alert, and preliminary investigations suggest that the scam is operated from a server outside the United States. While no confirmed cases of financial loss were documented at the time of the release, officials stress that the primary goal of the scam is to harvest personal data for future fraud attempts.

In response, the DF&A has deployed additional security measures on its website, including enhanced phishing detection for incoming messages and a public “text‑message warning” system that notifies residents of known scam patterns. The department is also coordinating with the Arkansas Public Utility Commission to monitor any related fraud that might involve utility payments or bill adjustments.

What Residents Should Do

1. Do Not Respond to Unknown Messages – If you receive an unsolicited text offering a refund, do not reply or click any links.
2. Verify Through Official Channels – Call the DF&A hotline or visit the official DF&A website to confirm the legitimacy of any refund.
3. Check the Sender’s Number – Genuine state messages typically originate from numbers ending in 444 or 555. If the number looks unfamiliar, treat it with caution.
4. Use the “Report a Scam” Portal – Submit any suspicious texts or emails to the Attorney General’s office for investigation.
5. Educate Family and Friends – Share this warning with neighbors, especially seniors who may be more vulnerable to such scams.

The DF&A’s proactive stance reflects a broader trend across the United States, where government agencies are ramping up consumer‑protection campaigns in the face of increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks. The department’s ongoing partnership with the Arkansas Office of Consumer Protection and the state’s law‑enforcement agencies aims to disrupt the supply chain of scammers and safeguard residents’ financial security.

Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly. For further information, visit the DF&A’s official website or call the consumer‑protection hotline at 1‑800‑274‑3637.