Palatine Police Warn Against Unemployment Debit Card Scam

Press release from the Village of Palatine:

July 17, 2020

The Palatine Police Department has received several complaints from residents who reported receiving a debit card for unemployment benefits although they had never filed an unemployment claim or requested a card. The debit cards, which bear the Illinois Department of Employment Security insignia, are used to load unemployment benefit payments after a claim has been approved. The Illinois Department of Employment Security oversees the unemployment compensation program.

If you or a family member have received an unrequested letter and debit card from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, contact the Palatine Police Department by dialing 9-1-1 as you may be the target of fraud.

A report will be generated and the information will be forwarded to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. In addition, anyone who received a debit card is encouraged to contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security at 800-814-0513. Do not provide personal information to anyone, including Social Security numbers or any type of banking information when looking into why you received the debit card.

This press release was produced by the Village of Palatine. The views expressed here are the author’s own.