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Public told to beware of fraud over jobless benefits

State Department of Labor officials are continuing to remind people to be ever-vigilant of fraud and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Labor Secretary Jennifer Berrier stated in many cases unemployment benefits are being obtained using stolen identities.

“Fraud is an unfortunate byproduct of any disaster, and we are seeing the proof of that during the global COVID-19

pandemic,” she said.

State Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock Township, has first-hand knowledge of identify theft.

Earlier his year, he discovered someone had applied for jobless benefits using his name.

“My credit card was hacked,” he said.

He said he learned of the problem when the credit card company contacted him and questioned him about purchases.

Wheeland filed a police report and advises others to do the same.

Those victimized should also contact the Department of Labor’s fraud line.

Wheeland said he has been a contacted by people in his district about suspicious mailings tied to jobless benefits.

Anthony Segraves recently received a mailing asking him to take steps for activating a card to apply for unemployment compensation.

“At first, I thought one of my credit cards had expired,” he said.

The Sun-Gazette circulation manager had not applied for jobless claims and understandably became suspicious.

“Either unemployment is all screwed up or someone is using my name to try and get jobless benefits,” he said.

Labor officials say unemployment benefits are being solicited using stolen identities obtained in data breaches occurring outside of state government.

The department works with the the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force, the FBI, Homeland Security, and other partners to identify and block and prevent fraud.

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