West Seattle, Washington

23 Tuesday

55℉

Spotlight Stories


  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Continues today

  • Street

    ALKI HEALTHY STREET: SDOT starting work

  • Sale day

    WS GARAGE SALE DAY 5/11: Register by Thursday 4/25!

Drumming and running: New Fitness for Vitality series starts
October 9, 2011 2:53 pm
|    Comments Off on Drumming and running: New Fitness for Vitality series starts
 |   Fun stuff to do | Health | West Seattle news

Live music in Lincoln Park this morning for … a 5k/10k run/walk! It’s the first of personal trainer Annette Herrick‘s latest three-run/walk Fitness for Vitality (WSB sponsor) series, and this time, inviting people to “Run with Drums,” she has live music planned for each one. They start with a kids’ dash – among this morning’s participants, above from left, Emma, Jack, Morgan, Megan, and Ryden. Below, first adult across the finish line – Rich Camacho:

Yes, these are chip-timed runs! Today’s drumming, by the way, was courtesy of Arturo Rodriguez and his Latin Ensemble (we’ll add video later); next two runs are October 23 (accompanied by the Hamana Don Band) and November 20 (accompanied by Vamola), both also in Lincoln Park. You can register (and/or find out more) here.

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What the police/fire response in Luna Park district is about
October 9, 2011 1:50 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Several inquiries have come in about the police/fire response in the Luna Park business district. All we know so far is that an elderly man is reported to have suddenly collapsed, and medic crews have been doing CPR. No crime or crash – police told us they are there just to help make sure firefighters have the space they need to work. As you can see in our photo, southbound (uphill) Avalon is blocked at the scene. If we find out anything more later, we’ll add it.

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Happening now: Don’t toss it, recycle it in Fauntleroy
October 9, 2011 11:22 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

That classic TV console was one of the items dropped off in the early going for today’s Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. We asked people on WSB’s Facebook page for caption ideas; among the suggestions so far, Stephanie suggested, “1970 called and wants its TV back.” Here again is the list of what they’ll take (for free, unlike some other e-and-other-things recyclers that request a fee).

9140 California SW, dropoffs till 3 pm.

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Reader reports: Puget Ridge break-in; Highland Park dog attack
October 9, 2011 9:16 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

Two incidents handled by local police in the past few days – a burglary and a dog attack in which both a child and another dog were bitten. Read on for reports from the victims in both cases:Read More

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West Seattle Sunday: Recycling; running; gaming; signing…
October 9, 2011 7:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo of Fauntleroy ferry-dock murk, added 10:08 am)
The weather’s supposed to get better – for a while – at some point today. Really! (And remember, we have a page for that.) Here are today’s highlights, indoors and out, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ELECTRONICS – AND MORE – RECYCLING EVENT: Previous editions of the Fauntleroy Church Green Committee’s Recycle Roundup have kept tons and tons of stuff out of landfills. 1 Green Planet will be there 9 am-3 pm today; here’s what they’ll accept. (9131 California SW, but you can’t get there from the rest of California – head west on Barton from 35th, or uphill on Wildwood from the ferry dock)

RUN WITH A SOUNDTRACK: Fitness for Vitality (WSB sponsor) starts a new series of 10K’s, “Run to Drums” in Lincoln Park, with kids’ dash too, this morning, with live music! Details here.

MARKET DAY! Your weekly chance to shop the year-round West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). Market managers’ bulletin for today: “Welcome Back Anderson Acres – One of our pioneering orchards with specialty apples and if we’re lucky..RAW walnuts!”

GAME DAY: Second gathering for the new “European strategy board game” group meets at Uptown Espresso in The Junction, 1 pm – read this story for details, contact info, and a group to join online – first meeting drew 18 people!

FALL PROJECT? Weekends mean you can check something out from the West Seattle Tool Library at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (east side of main building), open 1-5 pm on Sundays.

BOOK LAUNCH: Book release/signing party for Seattle author Dave O’Leary‘s new novel “Horse Bite” at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm.

LIVE MUSIC: Among the places you’ll find it in West Seattle today – C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) at 3 pm with Lindsey Boggio; tonight, Skylark Café and Club at 8 pm with Be Honest Ruth Bryan, Red Means Go, Van Eps ($5 cover).

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Learn about – and maybe even see – West Seattle wildlife
October 9, 2011 12:19 am
|    Comments Off on Learn about – and maybe even see – West Seattle wildlife
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

The early bird may get … the sighting. Certainly will get the insight, from West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler, one week from today:

Predawn Owl, Coyote, Salamander, Plant and Fungus hike. Meet 5:30 am Sunday, October 16th – Camp Long (5200 35th Av SW – @ SW Dawson) at front of gate of Lodge building. Join me (Stewart Wechsler) on a predawn hike (estimated time 2 hours) through the wilds of Camp Long. We’ll likely see or hear one of the resident Barred Owls, or potentially a transient Great Horned Owl. We might see one of the Coyotes that use Camp Long as a happy hunting ground, and we will definitely see the vegetation that make up the habitat framework for these more attention drawing critters. I continue to work to learn about, and share my knowledge of, all of our wild life forms in order to maximize my contribution to the stewardship of our precious and ancient natural communities. Any contributions (not required) to support me and my efforts will be accepted . RSVP 206 932-7225 (land line) to help me estimate group size and when I should be scheduling more programs. No one will be turned away.

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Are your recyclables ready? Dropoff event Sunday in Fauntleroy
October 8, 2011 9:27 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from April 2011)
The trucks from 1 Green Planet return tomorrow to the Fauntleroy Church parking lot at 9140 California SW (map), 9 am-3 pm, and you are invited to bring your recyclables – as long as they are items on this (long!) list of what will be accepted. Just drive up and drop off, free! (P.S. One week from tomorrow, that same lot will be abuzz with activity for the annual Fauntleroy Fall Festival, as will the schoolhouse across the street, so make a calendar note for the festival, too.)

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High-school football: Seattle Lutheran homecoming heartbreaker
October 8, 2011 4:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Just in from West Seattle Stadium: LaConner 23, Seattle Lutheran High School 20, in a hard-fought game, homecoming for the Saints.

ADDED: Game details:Read More

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Water problem shuts down Delridge Library for the day
October 8, 2011 4:14 pm
|    Comments Off on Water problem shuts down Delridge Library for the day
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

Delridge Library is usually open Saturdays, but not today. Librarian Cheresse Thoeny explains: “We had a broken water pipe that caused us some problems. Our maintenance team decided it wouldn’t be good to open the branch without any running water. They are confident that everything should be fixed by 1 pm Monday.”

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Tragedy on the sidelines during West Seattle soccer game
October 8, 2011 12:37 pm
|      61 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Here’s what we know about the major Seattle Fire medical response this morning to one of the fields at Riverview Playfield in Highland Park this morning: We went over to investigate after seeing two units rush by while we were blocks away at HP Improvement Club. Medics/firefighters ran onto the field with their equipment, and while we stayed far back, it was clear that CPR was being done. Neighbors told us a man had collapsed during a game. Games on that part of the field were called, and families left. Resuscitation efforts continued for some time; we had to move on, but have since learned from another witness that the Medical Examiner is there now, which indicates the man didn’t make it. We have asked West Seattle Soccer Club for any official information available, including the status of today’s games.

1:39 PM UPDATE: Commenter Doug says games at Riverview North are canceled for the rest of the day; we also received a text from a parent/nearby resident that her child’s 2 pm game was off. The man who died is reported to have been a coach.

3:34 PM UPDATE: We’ve received WSSC’s official statement:

We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred during one of our Boys U8 soccer games this morning at Riverview Playfield. We treasure all of our volunteer coaches for their time and dedication to making sure our kids have a great season. Our thoughts and prayers are with the coach’s family and his team. The family will share more information with the West Seattle soccer community in the next few days.

West Seattle Soccer Club

6:52 PM: The coach’s wife called us. She just wanted to ask for your prayers.

MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The King County Medical Examiner has publicly identified the volunteer soccer coach who died as 38-year-old Ed Kingston. We know his many, many friends and relatives around the area already know – including many of those who have posted comments – but it’s worth a note that in addition to being a husband and father of two, he also had a remarkable professional life. A colleague wrote about him over the weekend on this collaborative website; the link was posted on the Facebook page of the West Seattle Soccer Club, for which he was a volunteer coach, working with his 7-year-old’s team on Saturday when it happened. Dr. Kingston was a sports psychologist, and also wrote from time to time on the same website where the tribute appeared – you can see his work archived here. We have not yet received word of memorial plans.

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Happening now: West Seattle High School Grad Night car wash
October 8, 2011 12:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: West Seattle High School Grad Night car wash
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Grad Night is months away but it takes a lot of fundraising to keep the special event affordable, so West Seattle High School seniors and parents are washing cars right now, for donations, at West Seattle Produce‘s lot (Fauntleroy/Alaska).

They’re there till 3. (P.S. If you missed our report on the fall’s first general WSHS PTSA meeting, including other Grad Night fundraising efforts – read it here.)

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Happening now: Food trucks’ debut in Highland Park
October 8, 2011 12:22 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

(SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Added comment from HPIC re: how Saturday went)

12:22 PM SATURDAY: Shortly after 11 am, the first customers were already waiting outside the I Want Curry Now and Lumpia World food trucks in the Highland Park Improvement Club lot at 12th/Holden, launching what HPIC hopes will be a growing weekly tradition – maybe with more trucks joining on upcoming Saturdays. There’s seating!

These two are scheduled to be there today till 3 pm.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: We asked HPIC for comment on how Round 1 went. Julie Schickling reported “a steady stream of customers. We ran into lots of people from the neighborhood, plus met people who were there because they follow one truck or another, or because they happened to be driving by. We were there at 3 when they were packing up, and both said that it was really good for a first day. Derrick from Lumpia World said he thinks it will grow into a pod with more trucks.” She’s still confirming the official plan for next Saturday. Julie also reports the Harvest Dinner on Saturday night “was a great success. … The turnout was what we had hoped for, lots of new faces, young families, new members, people who’ve discovered the club through our classes. People brought good food to share and also dinner plates to leave behind for HPIC’s community kitchen.”

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The WSBeat: Not quite fit for the estate sale … and more
October 8, 2011 10:57 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:

*Cleaning up the home of her recently deceased father, a woman came across a human skull encased in glass. She told officers what she could remember about the story her father had told her: That he had found it in the wild in Alaska back in the 1980s. Though Halloween is on the way, she decided to not keep it. She turned it over to officers, who passed it on to the Medical Examiner.

*A car prowl suspect, arrested in the 9200 block of 16th SW Sunday afternoon, denied responsibility and frantically claimed that he had to get back to his residence by 6 p.m. to, “tend to the goats.”

*A white male who appeared to be 65 years or older, with whitish/gray bushy hair, wearing a white baseball hat and a blue jacket has been acting suspiciously around a home in the 9400 block of 26th Ave. SW. He was seen in the yard, taking notes twice last week, claiming to be a gutter or a roof service person. The residents had not solicited any services from anyone. Officers suspect he might be casing residences.

A dozen-plus more summaries ahead:Read More

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West Seattle Saturday: Food trucks; car wash; plant sale; cats!
October 8, 2011 6:30 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lampposts are striped with orange in The Junction for Halloween month! Trick-or-treat 1-3 pm October 29)
Happy Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

NEW FOOD TRUCK SPOT: Debut of food trucks at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden), 11 am-3 pm. Lumpia World and I Want Curry Now confirmed, per HPIC.

SCHOOL BOARD REP’S COMMUNITY CHAT: School Board president Steve Sundquist‘s community chat meeting, High Point Library, 11 am-12:30 pm.

GET YOUR CAR CLEAN, FOR A GOOD CAUSE: West Seattle High School Grad Night Car Wash. Proceeds benefit the 2012 Grad Night party. Westside seniors and parents will be washing cars from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at West Seattle Produce, at the corner of Fauntleroy Way and SW Alaska. Organizers will be asking for donations to help offset the cost of an all-night, alcohol-free, chaperoned party aimed at keeping graduates safe the night of their graduation. Fundraisers throughout the year help keep ticket costs reasonable and provide scholarships for graduates who could not attend otherwise. For details on upcoming fundraisers, keep an eye on this Facebook page.

PLANT WHILE YOU CAN: The South Seattle Community College Garden Center will be open today 11 am-3 pm, north side of campus, with major discounts, including half off edibles like raspberries, blueberries and figs. North side of campus (6000 16th SW).

FOSTER CATS WHO NEED FOREVER HOMES: At Alki Community Center, the Seattle Animal Shelter will bring foster cats who need their forever homes – noon-3 pm. Special deal – no adoption fees, only license fees, for adult cats, according to organizers.

OKTOBERFEST: It’s Oktoberfest day/night at Elliott Bay Brewing in West Seattle (4720 California SW). Enjoy their traditional Oktoberfest menu all day, Oktoberfest beer and a live Oktoberfest band from 6 pm-10 pm (no cover).

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Homecoming game for Seattle Lutheran HS, playing LaConner at West Seattle Stadium, 1:30 pm.

CELEBRATE THE HARVEST: HPIC (Highland Park Improvement Club) is hosting a Harvest Dinner at 6 pm. Come help initiate another new tradition at HPIC and celebrate a harvest meal with friends and neighbors. Bring a home-made dish to share that celebrates our local harvest, plus a dinner plate to leave behind for HPIC’s community kitchen.

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West Seattle’s most unusual costume party this month! Southwest Seattle Historical Society gala October 22
October 8, 2011 3:22 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle’s most unusual costume party this month! Southwest Seattle Historical Society gala October 22
 |   Announcements

Why dress as a vampire or Star Wars character when you can bring history to life? Costumes are welcomed and encouraged at the big annual Southwest Seattle Historical Society fundraiser – here’s an updated announcement:

Please join us for the SW Seattle Historical Society Annual Gala taking place at the Salty’s on Alki Event Room, featuring a special Salty’s Brunch, Silent Auction, Raffle, Dessert Dash, and whimsical entertainment.

Each table will represent one decade of the 16 that have passed since The Denny, Low, Boren, and Terry Party arrived at Alki Beach, “The Birthplace of Seattle.” Costumes are encouraged and will be enjoyed by all.

Date: Saturday October 22nd, 2011
Time: 11:30 am to 2:30p m
Place: Salty’s on Alki
Tickets $65-adults. $25-12 and under. Children under 4, free

Please RSVP to (206) 938-5293

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West Seattle wildlife: 2 more coyote sightings
October 8, 2011 3:02 am
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Many of the coyote reports we’ve received (all of which are archived here) describe them as being in the street – or a greenspace. Here, however, we have two who are closer to home, so to speak, or should we say homes. Read on:Read More

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Lowman Beach sewer-overflow-control project: 2 updates
October 7, 2011 11:58 pm
|    Comments Off on Lowman Beach sewer-overflow-control project: 2 updates
 |   Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

As the county starts to design the project meant to reduce combined-sewer overflows from Lowman Beach’s Murray Pump Station, there are two updates: First, a community meeting has just been announced for October 20th, 6:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church. The “facility design process and project schedule” will be presented. Second, the county is now recruiting 12 people to be on a Design Advisory Group for the rest of this year, and most if not all of 2012. The Murray CSO-control project involves building a huge underground storage tank on what is currently residential property across the street from Lowman Beach Park. Interested in being on the advisory group? More details of what’s involved, who they’re looking for, and who to contact, are on this flyer.

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High-school football: West Seattle, Chief Sealth scores
October 7, 2011 9:36 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school football: West Seattle, Chief Sealth scores
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Tonight’s football games are in the books: At Southeast Athletic Complex, West Seattle High School beat Rainier Beach, 28-8; at Southwest Athletic Complex, in their last regular-season home game this season, Chief Sealth HS lost to Franklin, 40-0.

ADDED 11:30 PM: More on the WSHS win, ahead:Read More

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West Seattle music: John Doe coming to Easy Street Records
October 7, 2011 8:28 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Just caught the word on this one in the Easy Street Records e-newsletter, though hardcore fans may have seen it on their website earlier: Five years after headlining West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction, John Doe returns to West Seattle’s Easy Street for an in-store performance later this month. 4:30 pm October 23rd, free, all welcome.

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Loved Mobile Chowdown? Tomorrow, 2 trucks in Highland Park
October 7, 2011 5:17 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

Last reminder … a restaurant-less section of eastern West Seattle will get some street-food love tomorrow: The Highland Park Improvement Club, shown in our photo (along with its sizable parking lot), will start playing host to food trucks on Saturdays, beginning tomorrow. It’s at 12th/Holden, just a few blocks east of where Zippy’s used to be. Lumpia World and Curry Now are scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 11 am and going till at least 3 pm, and HPIC is hoping to attract more as the Saturdays go by (Marination Mobile also continues its longtime weekly Saturday visit to 35th/Graham). Later on, you’re also invited to the Harvest Dinner at 6 pm tomorrow at HPIC – a potluck event (more details here).

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Before you head home: Downtown (and beyond) traffic alert
October 7, 2011 3:56 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

From SDOT:

A march is currently scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today. The march will start at the Seattle Central Community College on Broadway and will proceed westward on Pine Street to Fourth Avenue, escorted by Seattle Police Officers, ending with a rally at Westlake Park. Up to 500 participants are expected. Drivers should anticipate traffic congestion along the route and in the area around Westlake Park. Drivers are advised to take alternate routes if possible.

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Viaduct closure countdown: Bus, Water Taxi infoblitz ahead
October 7, 2011 3:03 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Among those in our photo from the 6th Ave. S. bus yard: King Co. Marine Div. Dir. Scott Davis, far left; Seattle Times [WSB partner] transportation reporter Mike Lindblom, a West Seattleite, at center)
Just back from a briefing this afternoon by King County Metro and Water Taxi officials, with yet more information to share about the looming Alaskan Way Viaduct closure (7:30 pm Friday, October 21, to 5 am Monday, October 31st). Some of the newest toplines include an infoblitz headed your way:

*70,000 mailers are going out, including free bus tickets

*Posters will be going up, distributed in West Seattle and elsewhere

*Metro has a special web section at kingcounty.gov/getyouthere

*Metro runs that take the Viaduct now will take 4th or 3rd Avenue that week. Coming off the West Seattle Bridge, buses will take the 1st Avenue South exit, and will travel up eastbound lower Spokane Street to turn left onto 4th – cars will not be able to turn left there, only buses, and a uniformed officer will be there to facilitate this.

*The West Seattle Water Taxi has a brochure about the extra runs it’s adding that week (the special schedule is linked from this infopage).

*Water Taxi managers will be at the dock that first commute morning (Monday 10/24) and as many other mornings as needed to help out

A few other notes, some of which we have reported here before:

*Extra Water Taxi parking along Harbor – overnight parking will be prohibited those days, in hopes of opening more spaces for commuters – and at half of Don Armeni Boat Ramp (no special WT shuttle stop there, though), for about 200 total potential all-day spaces.

*The Water Taxi shuttles will include larger – though nonbranded – vehicles that week. Note that the larger shuttles can carry up to two bicycles each; current shuttles have no bike rack. The Water Taxi vessel has an 18-bicycle capacity.

*If you plan to try different commute methods on for size, considering entering the West Seattle Commute Choice Challenge.

ADDED 4:21 PM: The official news release related to this afternoon’s briefing is here.

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Official warning now out re: the fake ‘Wells Fargo’ messages
October 7, 2011 1:48 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

A WSB’er sounded the alarm last weekend, and many others followed. Now, the state Attorney General is out with an official alert about those fake e-mail, text, and phone messages that aren’t really from Wells Fargo (or any other bank):

State Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned consumers about a text-message trap to capture financial information and drain credit card and bank accounts. Such text message scams are called “smishing.”

“If you don’t wish to be smished, ignore text messages that look like they’re coming from your bank or credit card,” McKenna said. “Flip over your credit or ATM card and call the number on the back. If there’s a problem with your account, that’s the best way to find out.”

Consumers began contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division early this week complaining about calls to their cell phones from those posing as Wells Fargo employees. An automated voice suggested that the customer’s account has been breached and directed them to “press one” for assistance. They were then connected to a person who asks for sensitive account information.

Many of the calls came to those who don’t even have Wells Fargo accounts. As the week progressed, the scam morphed to text messages from those posing as representing Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Capital One.

“Phishing” scams trick consumers into turning over account numbers, PINs, credit card security codes, usernames, passwords and other sensitive information. “Smishing” is a similar scam launched over SMS (Short Message Service) messages – better known as text messages.

Scammers have long phished by phone and email. The text scam is a somewhat new variation. The Attorney General’s Office recommends that consumers never respond to any message requesting account or personal information. Instead, contact the institution using a phone number from a statement or from your bank or credit card company’s official Web site.

Phishing and smishing are criminal acts that the state Attorney General’s Office lacks authority to investigate. Consumers contacted by such scammers should file a complaint with the FTC: . Federal law enforcement monitors complaints filed through the FTC.

Consumers concerned they may have revealed sensitive information in a phishing or smishing scam should contact their bank or credit card company, if applicable, and monitor their bank statements, credit card bills and credit reports to watch for suspicious activity.

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