What is the Unemployment Scam?
This is a type of identity theft, where a scammer uses someone's personal information - name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, and employer information - to apply for unemployment security benefits. Most people are alerted to the fraud when they are contacted by their employer or local unemployment office regarding the application filed in their name.
What should I do if I am the victim of this scam?
It is very important to report this fraud to the proper authorities to minimize the risk of problems to your credit score or finances. The majority of this can be reported online from the comfort of your own home.
- Report the fraud to your employer.
- Report online to https://IDES.Illinois.gov
- Report online to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
- File a local police report in your county.
- Report the fraud to local FBI office https://springfield.fbi.gov
- Report to all three (3) credit bureaus:
It is also a good idea to monitor your credit report for suspicious activity. Staying proactive will help catch any potential fraud early and minimize the risks.