Trumbull Sees Increase In Unemployment Benefit Scams: Police

TRUMBULL, CT — Police said there has been an increase in fraudulent unemployment benefit scams in town recently and residents are urged to be cautious.

In a Facebook post, police asked residents to understand their 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," police said on Facebook.

Residents are urged to contact the state Department of Labor immediately using a CTDOL ID Theft Report Form if any of the following happens:

• 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.

Residents are also urged to:

• Monitor your credit information often. There are plenty of credit monitoring apps available that are free of charge or 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.

"Please take extra care in checking your email and mail for suspicious items," police said. "If something doesn't seem right, report it. If there are any issues related to your employment, [such as] false unemployment claims, someone asking for personal work information, etc., make sure to report it the police."

More information is available at portal.ct.gov/dol.