As unemployment related to the COVID-19 pandemic remains at elevated levels, scammers seeking to exploit the unemployed have taken to impersonating Department of Labor employees. In one instance, a scammer posted his telephone number to a social media page and offered to assist unemployed individuals obtain benefits. Once the scammer was contacted by a potential victim, he would ask for personal information such as the person’s name, address, date of birth, debit card number, and unemployment claim number.

From there, the scammer would demand that the individual send gift cards to the scammer, and claimed that the individual’s unemployment benefits would be deposited into the account connected to his debit card after the gift cards were received. In an effort to further pressure the individual, the scammer claimed that benefits would only be provided if the individual acted “immediately” or “right now.”   

In response to such schemes, the Department of Labor has posted a “Fraud Alert” to its website.  The alert makes clear: “You do not need to pay anyone to file or qualify for your benefits.” 

Stay vigilant and watch out for these and similar schemes. Scammers often request gift cards because they are difficult to track. They also try to exert as much pressure as possible on victims by stressing the urgency of the situation. If someone demands that you buy a gift card in exchange for benefits, and do so “right now,” you should be suspicious. 

As we pass the one-year anniversary of the public health emergency sparked by COVID-19, there is, understandably, a lot of excitement over the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, there is a lot of confusion about when, how, and where to sign up for the vaccine. Scammers have preyed on that excitement and confusion.

We have seen reports of scammears asking for money in exchange for fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine reservations and selling fake tickets claiming to reserve a vaccination spot. In other instances, scammers posing as medical professionals and insurance company representatives have sent e-mails and texts to potential victims requesting an individual’s personal or medical information under the guise of determining their eligibility for the vaccine. 

Follow these tips posted by the Federal Trade Commission to avoid vaccine-related scams:

• Do not pay to sign up for the vaccine
• Ignore sales ads for the COVID-19 vaccine
• Watch for unexpected or unusual texts or e-mails about the vaccine
• Do not share personal, financial, or health information with people you do not know

You can also find information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and other information on New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub.

We can only fight scammers with your help. If you have spotted a scam, or believe you may have been a victim of a scam, please contact the New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Task Force at (866) 720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov. Complainants may remain anonymous.