BBB Scam Alert: Out-of-the-blue unemployment claim? It’s probably fraud

Milwaukee, Wis. – It’s another unwelcome byproduct of the pandemic: crooks are taking advantage of increased unemployment to collect benefits in the names of unsuspecting victims. This unemployment fraud is costing the United States government billions of dollars. Be sure to guard your personal information and report suspicious activities.

How the Scam Works:

Thieves typically get the personal information they need for fake unemployment claims by purchasing it online. One con artist told USA Today that he compiles lists of real people. Then, he pays $2 in cryptocurrency to match each name with a Social Security number and date of birth. This is often all the information he needs to file a phony claim.

Other times, scammers get personal information for fake claims through phishing techniques. By sending fake notifications from financial institutions or government agencies, scammers trick people into sharing their Social Security numbers and other information. Other scammers make cold calls to potential victims and coax them into sharing personal information.

Most victims don’t know their identity has been used for unemployment fraud until they are contacted about an unemployment claim they never made. According to BBB Scam Tracker, here are some common ways victims became aware of the fraud:

• A notification from an unemployment office “confirming” the date of their last day of work – even though they are still employed.
• A letter from the state unemployment office or department of labor informing them that their unemployment benefits were denied – even though they made no such claim.
• Their employer is notified that they filed for unemployment benefits, even though they still work for the company.

What can you do to protect yourself?

• Haven’t applied for unemployment? Report suspicious notifications. If you receive a letter, email, or any other notification about an unemployment claim that you never made, be sure to report it. Check this list from the Department of Labor for your state’s contact number.
• Check your credit report. An unemployment claim in your name means that scammers have your personal information. Be sure to check your credit report for unauthorized inquiries and accounts. In the U.S., you have the right to check your credit report with each of the three major credit bureaus once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only free crediting reporting service authorized by the Federal Trade Commission.
• Consider freezing your credit. This keeps anyone from seeing your credit report without proof of identity. Contact the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to do this.
• Set up transaction alerts with your bank or credit union. This ensures notification of any withdrawal above a dollar amount which you determine.

For more information

Learn more about protecting yourself against identity theft on BBB.org or at IdentityTheft.gov. Report a scam to BBB Scam Tracker.

Read more about how scammers commit unemployment fraud in this USA Today investigation.

For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2019, people turned to BBB more than 183 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.8 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.