Stratford Police Warn Of Unemployment Benefit Scams

STRATFORD, CT — As part of its weekly feature, Stratford police are warning residents of unemployment benefit scams.

Stratford police plan to highlight a new scam weekly based on what reports they are receiving in town.

Read more from the police department below:

We have seen an increase in Fraudulent Unemployment Benefit scams lately.

Understand that your personal information IS available to criminals:

They can purchase it on the dark web, obtain it through retail and commercial breaches, and get you to reveal it through text, phone, social media, and email phishing.

Notify CT Dept. of Labor immediately using the CTDOL ID Theft Report Form if any of the below happen:

• Information requests. If CTDOL requests information from you or your employer, an imposter claim may have been filed with us indicating you may be a victim of identity theft.
• You receive a monetary determination letter.
• You receive 1009 tax form.
• Unexpected payments. If you receive unexpected unemployment benefits, you may be a victim of unemployment fraud.
• More info can be found at: portal.ct.gov/dol
• MONITOR YOUR CREDIT INFORMATION OFTEN - There are plenty of credit monitoring apps available that are free or charge a minimal monthly fee
• CONSIDER "LOCKING" your credit profile - the major credit bureaus offer this, it can be locked and unlocked in their respective app