Scam targets jobless Ohioans
Lead Summary
By
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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At that point, unemployment benefits deposited on the debit card are accessed and withdrawn by the scam artist.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 give this information out over the phone.”
According to complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office, several additional versions of this scam are currently circulating with similar messages that allege account problems with various credit cards issued by U.S. Bank. Recipients are encouraged to call the number and provide personal information. Attorney General Cordray strongly urges Ohioans to disregard the message and not provide any personal information.
“This is a prime example of how a scam can mutate and adapt to changing times and trends,” Cordray said. “With the use of text messaging on the rise, it is no surprise that scammers have manipulated the system to target unsuspecting individuals. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of remaining vigilant and exercising extreme caution with personal information.
In this case, disregard the message. Do not provide any personal information.”
ODJFS is working with its debit card provider, U.S. Bank, to further protect, inform and educate its customers. Anyone who receives one of these fraudulent messages should not respond. Anyone who suspects funds have been inappropriately accessed should call the customer service number provided on the back of their U.S. Bank debit card: (866) 276-5114.
Cordray urges Ohioans who have become victims of this scam or any other scam to immediately report the incident to local police or call (800) 282-0515[[In-content Ad]]
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 give this information out over the phone.”
According to complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office, several additional versions of this scam are currently circulating with similar messages that allege account problems with various credit cards issued by U.S. Bank. Recipients are encouraged to call the number and provide personal information. Attorney General Cordray strongly urges Ohioans to disregard the message and not provide any personal information.
“This is a prime example of how a scam can mutate and adapt to changing times and trends,” Cordray said. “With the use of text messaging on the rise, it is no surprise that scammers have manipulated the system to target unsuspecting individuals. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of remaining vigilant and exercising extreme caution with personal information.
In this case, disregard the message. Do not provide any personal information.”
ODJFS is working with its debit card provider, U.S. Bank, to further protect, inform and educate its customers. Anyone who receives one of these fraudulent messages should not respond. Anyone who suspects funds have been inappropriately accessed should call the customer service number provided on the back of their U.S. Bank debit card: (866) 276-5114.
Cordray urges Ohioans who have become victims of this scam or any other scam to immediately report the incident to local police or call (800) 282-0515[[In-content Ad]]