Scammers target Michigan residents on unemployment who were asked to resubmit information

UIA will never contact you via text

DETROIT – People collecting unemployment may be at risk of having their identity stolen.

High tech thieves are focused on thousands who may be in the process providing more information to get their benefits.

Scammers are sending text messages, asking for personal information. They’re targeting the more than 600,000 in the state who are in the process of providing new information to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Read: Michigan residents collecting unemployment need to watch out for new scam

They are targeting the people who have to provide more information after the UIA posted questions for filers to answer that were not approved by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Thousands of people received notices from the UIA in June, requesting that they submit their information again. They were told if they didn’t submit their information again then they may have to pay back the unemployment they received.

Thieves obtained the list of those going through that process and have been sending out messages asking for social security numbers, a parent’s maiden name and even banking information. The UIA will never contact you via text message.

Always be suspicious of a text, call or even a letter you receive from someone you don’t know. If you have questions about your unemployment status you should contact the UIA directly.

Click here for UIA contact information.

Read: More Help Me Hank coverage




About the Authors:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.