Purdue police warn of unemployment benefits scam

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police are warning of a scam in which an individual is trying to obtain unemployment benefits using someone else’s Social Security number.

Three Purdue employees have reported such cases, though the attempts were unsuccessful. Purdue police detective Ryan Edwards said he has spoken with Indiana State Police, and they have received numerous reports around the state.

“It’s a pretty common scheme that’s been going on awhile,” Edwards said. “It is unclear at this point how the scammers obtained the Social Security numbers.”

In Indiana, unemployment claims are made through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, which then seeks to verify employment status.

Those who have been victimized by such an attempt can contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. The center provides a reliable and convenient reporting mechanism to submit information to the FBI concerning suspected internet-facilitated criminal activity.

Victims also can report the fraud to the U.S. Social Security Administration. This will cause the reporting person’s Social Security number to be locked down, and they will have to visit a local Social Security office to have it unlocked if necessary.

Edwards also advises victims to monitor their credit report with any of the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion - for fraudulent activities.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of fraud should report the incident to their local police department.

Media contact: Ryan Edwards, 765-494-8221, rjedwards@purdue.edu