What scam is targeting Ohio unemployment recipients?
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and Attorney General Richard Cordray’s office have received widespread reports of a national scheme targeting recipients of unemployment compensation benefits in Ohio. Those targeted receive fraudulent text messages on their cell phones, claiming to be from state unemployment agencies. The fraudulent messages inform recipients that their unemployment benefits have been suspended and to call the provided phone number to reactivate. When recipients call, they are asked for personal information, including debit card numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN). At that point, unemployment benefits deposited on the debit card are accessed and withdrawn by the scam artist. “We want to make all unemployment recipients in Ohio aware of this very real threat,” said ODJFS Director Douglas Lumpkin. “ODJFS representatives will never ask for claimants’ debit card information or their PIN numbers. Claimants should not gi
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is warning jobless Ohioans of a scam which targets unemployment compensation benefit recipients in the state. Targeted recipients receive a fraudulent text message that alerts them that their unemployment benefits have been suspended. The recipients are directed to call the provided phone number where they are asked for their personal information including debit card numbers and PINs. By providing this information scammers are able to withdraw monies deposited on the card. Sources: http://www.examiner.
