NOVEMBER 2, 2009 - Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is warning those with state unemployment insurance (UI) debit cards that scammers are using cell phone text messages in an attempt to steal their unemployment benefits.
UIA received two calls from individuals receiving unemployment benefits stating they had received text messages telling them to verify their UI debit card personal identification number (PIN) by contacting the text sender.
"Let me be clear, the Unemployment Insurance Agency and Chase Bank never contact anyone by text or by email about their unemployment claim or PIN. These two attempts and possibly others are being made by scammers who only want to gain access to the individual's UI debit card account and steal any funds in the account," Geskey warned.
JPMorgan Chase administers the MI UI Debit Card program for the state of Michigan.
The bogus text messages advised individuals they need to reset their UI debit card PIN. One person was told to send a return text with his PIN included, while the other was instructed to call the phone number listed in the text message. When a victim calls the telephone number, a recorded voice asks the caller for his/her UI debit card number and PIN. With that information, the scammer can access and remove funds from the card account.
Geskey further advised that anyone who has received a text about their UI debit card to ignore the message and delete it. If someone responds to such a message or wishes to verify the status of their Michigan UI Debit Card, they should call the JPMorgan Chase customer service telephone number at 1-866-523-2122 to either cancel their card and have a new one issued or confirm the status of their card.
Similar scam attempts are starting to surface elsewhere, as well. The departments of labor in New York, Rhode Island and Missouri recently issued warnings to their UI debit card holders that scammers are attempting the same deception that has now occurred in Michigan.
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