Becoming a victim of any type of fraud, scam, or phishing scheme is never pleasant. If you have fallen prey to a scam involving unemployment benefits or other types of public assistance, you might feel angry and embarrassed. It is perfectly normal to experience these emotions after falling victim to a scam.
However, you need to understand that what happened was not your fault. Anyone else could have easily fallen for it, too. What you need right now is to take all the necessary steps to minimize the harm from the scam.
At Stecklein & Rapp, we assist victims of identity theft, fraud, and scams to seek the justice they need to move forward with their lives. Our compassionate and results-driven attorneys represent victims of phishing schemes, identity theft, fraud, and scams throughout the states of Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, including Kansas City and Lincoln.
A New Phishing Scheme Targeting Unemployment Benefits
Many people seeking unemployment benefits across the United States have fallen prey to a new phishing scheme. Scammers are using text messages to get unsuspecting victims to click on a link that gives access to their personal data.
According to a press release issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), scammers send text messages to trick people into thinking that they are getting a legitimate message from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) about their unemployment benefits. The deceptive message instructs an individual to update their personal information by clicking on a link.
The FBI warns that the DWD never sends text messages asking individuals to verify their eligibility for unemployment benefits or update their personal information. If you receive an unsolicited or suspicious text or email from the DWD or any other government agency containing links, do not click on any links unless you know that the message/email comes from a verified and legitimate source. Clicking on a link could take you to a page that allows scammers to steal or access your personal information.
Another Type of Scam Involving Unemployment Benefits
The latest phishing scheme targeting people seeking unemployment benefits is not the only scam that involves public assistance benefits. Another common type of scam involving employment benefits is a scam in which scammers use a fake website that mimics a legitimate government website to get unsuspecting individuals to provide their personal information. The website tricks you into thinking that you are giving your personal data to a government agency when, in reality, you are providing your information to scammers.
Who Can Be a Victim?
If you are embarrassed or humiliated after falling prey to a scam or phishing scheme targeting unemployment benefits, don’t be. Anyone can be a victim, especially when the scam targets people seeking unemployment benefits. Scammers often take advantage of an individual’s despair, vulnerability, and lack of attention in order to lure them in.
What You Should Do If You Feel You Have Been Victimized
If you believe that you have become a victim of a scam or phishing scheme involving unemployment benefits, you should first speak with an experienced attorney before it is too late. An attorney could help you minimize the damage and devise a strategy to prevent scammers from using your personal information for fraud, identity theft, or other illegal purposes. You may also need to contact your local unemployment office to report identity theft, fraud, or scam.
How Legal Counsel Can Help
Becoming a victim of a scam can be embarrassing. However, you should not let one mistake destroy your life. If you have fallen prey to a phishing scheme, fraud, identity theft, or scam, it is critical to take action as soon as possible to minimize the damage. At Stecklein & Rapp, our skilled identity theft attorneys serve clients in Kansas City in both Kansas and Missouri, as well as Lincoln and other cities in Nebraska. Reach out to us today.