As the state begins rolling out ANCHOR payments, many New Jerseyans are still in the process of signing up. But at the same time, scammers are lurking, waiting to take advantage.

With just under two months to go for this year’s ANCHOR rebate signup, an expert says that New Jersey residents should beware of phishing scams this year.

“This is the time when cybercriminals start praying on innocent citizens of New Jersey trying to get some money,” said Scott Schober, a cyber security expert and president and CEO of Berkeley Varitronics.

Schober says that last year, more than 1 million fraudulent scam attempts were reported in New Jersey, which were tied to the ANCHOR program.

“Email is very popular and it's a phishing scam. They lure us in using phrases and logos that might seem familiar to what the state of New Jersey can look at. In there will be an embedded hyperlink that directs you to another website where they hopefully can fool you to provide a little bit of personal information,” says Schober.

Schober warns another popular way to get your information is to send a text message.

“It starts out urgent, gets your attention right away. In this case, a $1,500 rebate. It's a motivator you don't want to miss out and asking to confirm your Social Security information. That's a no-no,” he said.

The URL code will often be slightly changed leading the victim to a fraudulent site.

If you’ve been scammed, Schober says to take these immediate steps:

• Call your local police department

• Monitor bank statements

• Initiate a credit freeze

Scammers can start taking your money within 24 hours of getting your information. The New Jersey Division of Taxation wants to remind you they’ll never start a text exchange requesting personal information regarding your ANCHOR benefits or income taxes.

For more information on the ANCHOR program or to find a list of the five in-person taxation help centers located around the state, click these links below.

• https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/oci-contactus.shtml

• https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/

• https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/contact-office.shtml