Borough Of Phoenixville: Information Regarding Widespread Unemployment & Other Frauds

Press release from the Borough of Phoenixville:

July 23, 2021

BOROUGH OF PHOENIXVILLE

BOROUGH OF PHOENIXVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 351 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460

Phone: (610) 933-1180   Fax: (610) 933-9114

Phone: (610) 933-1180   Fax: (610) 933-9114

      www.phoenixville.org

      www.phoenixville.org

Widespread Unemployment & Other Frauds

Widespread Unemployment & Other Frauds

Numerous agencies throughout the Commonwealth of PA have seen an increase in fraudulent attempts to apply for unemployment benefits using previously stolen identities. This criminal activity has also affected our Phoenixville community members and employees as well.

Signs of fraud include:

Anyone who is a victim is encouraged to file a police report. You will need an official police report incident number to move forward to help safeguard your name as well as any future identity theft scams. The Phoenixville Police Department is also requesting that they also report the fraud to Labor & Industry online at the UC Benefits Website, https://benefits.uc.pa.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx               Click “ Report Fraud Here”  a the bottom of the page to complete and submit the Identity Theft Form. Do not log in.

Report Fraud Here

Victims who are legitimately collecting unemployment, but their accounts have been hijacked and money rerouted should call the Fraud Hotline at 800-692-7469.

Victims who receive checks or US Bank debit cards in the mail should return them to L&I with a brief signed statement as to the reason for the return, as well as a phone number and email address. Checks should be marked VOID. Both checks and debit cards should be returned to:

Pennsylvania Treasury

651 Boas Street, Room 400

L&I Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120

The Phoenixville Police Department is also encouraging victims to start a recovery plan with the Federal Trade Commission by visiting www.identiytheft.gov

Remember, the IRS will never call you asking for your personal information or money. They do not want nor will ever ask you for Bitcoin or prepaid credit cards as payment. The police or sheriff’s department will never call you asking for cash to release a grandchild out of jail who was involved in an auto accident. Please talk to your elderly relatives about these types of scams. It may save them a fortune!    

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