Wheaton Sees Uptick In Unemployment Identity Theft: Police

WHEATON, IL — Wheaton police say more than 20 residents have been the target of an ongoing unemployment card scam.

The scam involves residents getting unsolicited unemployment cards in the mail. Police say scammers are attempting to use personal information to get unemployment benefits via the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program.

If you get an unemployment card in the mail, police recommend that you do not activate the card. Instead, you should file a police report with the Wheaton Police Department and notify the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

If you have been a victim of such a scam, Wheaton police recommend the following:

• Check your credit reports with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can receive one free credit report every year from each credit reporting company. Call 1-877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com
• Consider placing a freeze on your credit report
• Review all of your financial accounts and dispute any unauthorized charges/debits
• Consider placing transaction alerts with your bank or financial institution-
• Be alert for other unusual occurrences