Beware of fake unemployment messages
A state department is warning the public about a new scam involving unemployment insurance.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has received reports of residents receiving texts where imposters pretend to be from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development or similar agencies. These texts usually regard unemployment insurance. The texts claim there’s a problem with your account and that your benefits will be discontinued if you do not click a link to update your account ID and password. Do not click any links and do not respond to the texts. Simply delete them.
These phishing texts are sent out in an effort to steal your personal information and money.
There are some ways to tell if a message is official. First, official texts come from the DWD link to my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov. Note that the department does not send group text messages, nor are texts sent to notify you if your profile or claim will be deactivated. Official texts will tell you to log in to your claimant portal at my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov, where secure messages are stored.
Second, if you receive a text, do not click on any links, enter your user information or provide information to suspicious websites or messages. The DWD does not request info in this manner.
If you aren’t sure of a message’s origin, you can visit dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/fraud/scams.htm to find out more about the scam.
If you further questions about your unemployment insurance, call the number listed on an official document from the agency, such as a letter or form you may have received in the past. Numbers can also be found on the DWD website.
You can check the legitimacy of any text, letter, phone call or email by contacting the agency directly using a number found from their official website or mail. Do not use contact information listed in the suspicious communication.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it at datcp.wi.gov/pages/programs_services/fileconsumercomplaint.aspx, datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or 1-800-422-7128.
