The State of New Jersey’s Cybersecurity and Communication Integration Cell (NJCCIC) recently highlighted a cyber threat involving unemployment scams and fraud. In particular, the NJCCIC has received reports over the last several weeks detailing this insurance fraud and referencing emails claiming to be related to NJ unemployment with a COVID-19 lure, sense of urgency, and promise of financial assistance.
Please look out for suspicious activities and offer guidance on how to protect your personal identifiable information (PII) as received from a July Press Release from the FBI.
The FBI advises the public to be on the lookout for the following suspicious activities:
- Receiving communications regarding unemployment insurance forms when you have not applied for unemployment benefits
- Unauthorized transactions on your bank or credit card statements related to unemployment benefits
- Any fees involved in filing or qualifying for unemployment insurance
- Unsolicited inquires related to unemployment benefits
- Fictitious websites and social media pages mimicking those of government agencies
Protection Tips:
- Be wary of telephone calls and text messages, letters, websites, or emails that require you to provide your personal information or other sensitive information, especially birth dates and Social Security numbers. Be cautious with attachments and embedded links within email, especially from an unknown email sender.
- Make yourself aware of methods fraudsters are using to obtain PII and how to combat them by following security tips issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, including:
- Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks
- Protecting Against Malicious Code
- Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft
- Monitor your bank accounts on a regular basis and request your credit report at least once a year to look for any fraudulent activity. If you believe you are a victim, review your credit report more frequently.
- Immediately report unauthorized transactions to your financial institution or credit card provider.
If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft related to fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, report the fraud to:
- Law Enforcement
- NJ Unemployment Insurance Office @ (609) 777-4304
- IRS or Identity Theft (File an Identity Theft Affidavit – IRS Form 14039)
- Credit Bureaus (Experian, Equifax & TransUnion)
- Union County Department of Finance, Bureau of Payroll.
- Federal Trade Commission
- Internet Crime Complaint Center