Voice of the consumer: Protect yourself from identity theft during rampant unemployment insurance fraud
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - There is one scam that has been flooding the phone lines for the statewide consumer helpline all throughout the pandemic. Unemployment insurance fraud has skyrocketed over the past year. The experts tell me they believe there have been more than 1.2 million fraudulent unemployment insurance benefit claims filed in Colorado alone.
I talked with Weiser during our weekly “Fraud Friday” segment. KKTV 11 News is teaming up with AARP Elderwatch and the Attorney General’s Office for the weekly interview that airs during 11 News at Noon.
“The first point I would always tell people is please, please, don’t give out your personal information,” he said. “No one is going to call you up who is legitimate and ask you for your Social Security number. Please don’t give out personal information about you over the phone.”
There are steps you can take to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. Be careful about calls, text messages or emails asking to share personal information. Watch for scammers trying to get personal information to file fraudulent claims. Make sure you don’t click any links in emails or texts.
Keep in mind, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) will never send you a text message to log into your account. You should only access your account by using the official CDLE website at ColoradoUI.gov.
If you are the victim of unemployment fraud, you should contact the three consumer credit bureaus and put a fraud alert, or credit freeze, on your name and Social Security number. You can reach the credit bureaus at the following numbers: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-397-3742 and TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289.
If you received a U.S. Bank ReliaCard debit card that you did not apply for, you should reach out to the company to deactivate the card. You can report a card to their fraud department online at usbankreliacard.com.
You should also report it to the Colorado Department of Labor. You can find out more information on their website or by calling (303) 318-8000.