The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is warning consumers of scam artists who call or send faxes to people and pretend to be from the government or legitimate businesses, while asking the people they call to "verify" or "resubmit" confidential personal information.

The scam artists may ask for anything from credit card or Social Security numbers to bank account information and personal passwords.

One fraudulent approach uses prerecorded telephone messages supposedly from a financial institution or a government agency, describing some urgent matter" dealing with the bank account of the person called.

When the person returns the call, the consumer is given instructions to respond to questions about his or her bank account using the person's touch-tone keypad. The information provided could be used to gain unauthorized access to the bank account.

A recent scenario uncovered by the FDIC involves the use of faxes to people in an attempt to collect confidential information.

Consumers should not give out personal information over the telephone unless contact is initiated by the consumers and they know they are dealing with someone who is reputable.

It is safest to assume that unsolicited contacts by telephone or fax requesting personal information are illegitimate.

It is wise not to use telephone numbers provided via unsolicited telephone calls or faxes. Consumers should make calls using numbers that are provided through sources they trust.

For more information, see "Dialing for (Your) Dollars: Beware of Phone and Fax Fraud" (available at www.fdic.gov).

Opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. Joseph Pellicciotti is a lawyer, professor and associate vice chancellor at Indiana University Northwest.