Being on the lookout for fraudulent activity has become part of a daily routine as scams have unfortunately ramped up. During the pandemic, many have been impacted with the unemployment insurance fraud scam that claims to be coming from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Monmouth Police Chief Joe Switzer shares steps to take in protecting yourself against fraud:
“The best thing to do, obviously is to contact your creditors and your banks. Contact the credit reporting agencies and put a freeze or hold on your credit. That does not hurt your credit rating, but it will freeze or hold that account so if someone tries to open a credit card or take a loan out in your name with your information, it will go to the credit reporting agency, they will say no there is a hold on it, and that person will get denied.”
If you have received a scam letter from the IDES saying you have applied for unemployment when you have not, contact your local banker and report the fraud claim on the IDES website.
