HARRISBURG, Pa (WJAC) — Officials from the Department of Labor and Industry are warning of scammers who are interfering with unemployment compensation.
Darlene Ashcom, of Johnstown, received two checks in the mail this week, both read "PA Treasury" on the front of the envelopes.
She thought it was her property tax rebate check but instead, it was something else.
"So I start reading it and I’m like, I didn't apply for unemployment."
They were checks for what she described as a, “huge chunk of money," for unemployment compensation, which neither she nor her husband applied for.
"It says right on the check, ‘if you're not entitled to this, please return to the address on the right.' I looked to the right, there's no address."
She called her bank who assured her said her checking account was not compromised, but she's still concerned about why this happened.
"How did my information get out there, why am I getting these? What do I do?"
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's anti-fraud division has been trying to put a stop to these scammers.
Sec. Jerry Oleksiak says that no Labor and Industry systems have been breached, and that the scammers are from outside sources.
"We are working closely, we have been in close contact with other state and federal agencies, including law enforcement, to investigate these incidents."
So, what should you do if you receive one of these checks in the mail?
"If someone does receive a check in error, he or she should not cash it and should return it to the department,” said Susan Dickinson, director of the office of unemployment compensation benefits policy.
She says to mail the fraudulent check back to the Department of Treasury, or if you have received money through direct deposit, do not use the funds and return them to the Department of Labor and industry.
For more information, visit uc.pa.gov.
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