DLI warns Montanans to protect personal information during UI claims process

Press release

HELENA — The Montana Department of Labor & Industry advises people applying for Unemployment Insurance benefits that individuals misrepresenting DLI may capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and attempt to secure sensitive personal information through deceit.

DLI is reminding all UI claimants and unemployed Montanans to practice caution when providing people with personal information. Below are some indications that you may be a victim of an attempted scam by a bad actor or someone pretending to be a UI Claims Processing specialist:

• The individual asks for a credit card number or bank account information

• The individual states there is a fee for processing a UI claim

• You receive information via text. DLI does not communicate with claimants via text messaging services

• The individual asks for your Personal Identification Number. UI Claims staff will not ask for your PIN, as this is only for website use

DLI advises Montanans to:

• Protect their personal information

• Do not send bank account information, full Social Security Number or date of birth in an email to DLI

• If you encounter anyone whose identity you are not sure of, do not give out your phone number, address, Social Security Number or PIN.

Victims of these scams face potential harm. The personal information the scammers collect may be used to commit identity theft or file fraudulent Unemployment Insurance claims. DLI encourages those who believe they have been a victim of, or suspect a person or business is committing UI fraud, to visit http://uid.dli.mt.gov/report-fraud. Montanans may also contact our fraud investigator by phone at 406-444-1709, or by email at [email protected]. People reporting UI fraud may remain anonymous.

DLI staff thoroughly review and investigate all reports of potential, alleged or suspected fraud accordingly. Those found to have committed UI fraud are subject to penalties and/or criminal prosecution.

The Office of Inspector General with the U.S. Department of Labor recently issued an Unemployment Insurance Fraud alert, reporting that scammers are targeting personal information. For more information on this alert, visit http://dli.mt.gov/Portals/57/Documents/covid-19/fraud-alert.pdf?ver=2020-04-16-140120-170 .

DLI is providing daily updates for Montana employers and individuals impacted by COVID-19 at http://dli.mt.gov/covid-19. Montanans can also follow DLI on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for timely updates.