Albany, NY (WBEN) The New York Department of State is warning consumers about a recent scam involving people impersonating department staff.

In most cases, impersonators are calling individuals at their home or business numbers under the guise of an alleged outstanding case against them.  The impersonators are requesting social security numbers and/or requiring immediate payment of a fine via money order or direct deposit.
 
The New York State Department of State does not communicate by phone or electronic means with individual respondents without first sending a written confirmation of possible allegations and providing all the proper verifiable contacts.

The state issued recommendations to protect yourself:

• Require the full name of the individual and a call back number to verify the information with the proper authorities.
• Request written confirmation of the purported fine from the government authority. 
• Report the incident via e-mail to the Department of State at: dosInetLcns@dos.ny.gov