SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Scam Warning: Unemployment Claim Fraud
A Guest Post by Shannon Slaughter, Banking Industry Anti-Fraud Professional
Shannon is a SCARS Advisory Board Member
I’ve had several folks reach out to me lately for advice on steps to take after they were notified of fraudulent unemployment claims.
The information on your state website likely has a checklist that advises notifying your financial institution(s) and the credit bureaus.
There is one very important thing missing from this list though: YOUR WIRELESS CARRIER.
Why?
Because fraudsters with all your personal identifying information (PII) who know what they are doing can convince your wireless company they are you and switch service to a phone in their possession.
If they’ve figured out where you bank and are good enough to social engineer their way into an online banking password reset (remember they already have your PII), they can then use that phone to verify the code your financial institution sends to you, and BOOM! They control your accounts!
Now they have access to your money.
It’s called SIM swapping and I’ve seen it happen.
Even if you haven’t been notified of a fraudulent unemployment claim, call your mobile carrier and get yourself set up with a PIN only you would know.
Our phones are the keys to the kingdom in many cases, and cleaning up the mess caused by #SIMswapping is a nightmare.
SCARS Note:
Thank you Shannon for this insightful warning. Additionally, everyone who has been touched by fraud or scams would immediately change their email password. Your phone and your email are not the way to verify your identity – keep them safe no matter what!
Here is an example: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/jobs/colorado-unemployment-fraud-claims-victim-resources/73-e4f6cc64-13f5-4c59-bfe0-1b20ba5883ab
TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Scam Victims, Online Fraud, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Scam Avoidance, Unemployment Fraud, Financial Institution, Passwrod Reset, Mobile Phone Safety
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- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
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If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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