A growing number of cell phone users in the state say they're being pestered by scam text messages from opportunists hoping to steal their money.

Consumers who fall for the ploys may end up getting hit with unauthorized charges or divulging personal information used to steal their identities, according to the state Attorney General's office, which reports a steady rise in the number of complaints about the messages.

Fraudulent text messages often pop up as a "security alert," purportedly from a person's bank or credit card company. The bogus alerts typically tell consumers their accounts have been compromised and ask them to send a reply message or call a toll-free number to fix the problem.

"Consumers who call the scam number are often asked to 'confirm' their account number, password or PIN, leaving them vulnerable to fraudulent charges or ID theft," Attorney General Tom Corbett said in a prepared statement.

Pennsylvanians also are reporting a growing problem with "spam" text messages peddling prescription drugs or pornography, the attorney general's office said. The ads can be costly for consumers on a cell phone plan that charges 10 cents to 50 cents for each incoming message.

Unsolicited text messages marketing goods or services are illegal under Pennsylvania law. And federal law prohibits telemarketers from using automated dialing devices to call cell phone users.

Most of the scams and unwanted marketing calls originate overseas, making it difficult to stop them, the attorney general's office said.

The agency offered these tips to avoid getting duped:

• Be choosy about giving out your cell phone number, especially in response to contests or online promotions, which can lead to unwanted calls and messages.

• Never respond to unsolicited messages from people you don't know. Doing so lets the sender know they've reached a working number and may trigger more messages.

• Ask your cell phone provider to remove any charges for unsolicited messages. If the company won't waive the fees, file a complaint with the attorney general's office at 1-800-441-2555 or online at www.attorneygeneral.gov.

• Consider asking your cell phone provider to block all text messages.

• Report any messages that are deceptive, offensive or advertise illegal products or services.

Although so-called robo-calls to cell phones are illegal, telemarketing calls dialed by a live operator are not.

To help block those calls, consumers can put their numbers on the state's do-not-call list at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 1-888-777-3406. To get on the federal do-not-call registry, visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.