Residents warned about IDES debit card fraud

State Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) is warning residents about a widespread fraud scheme that uses the identity of individuals to wrongfully claim unemployment insurance.

"It is deeply disturbing to see scammers taking advantage of a crisis that has wreaked havoc on families across our community," said Edly-Allen. "Coupled with the fact that many residents are already struggling to receive real unemployment benefits, this news is appalling."

The Illinois Department of Employment Services is cracking down on a fraud scheme that is targeting every state's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs. In this scheme, individuals are having their identity used to file for unemployment insurance and are then receiving unemployment debit cards in the mail.

If an individual receives a debit card or an unemployment insurance letter in the mail, they should immediately call the Illinois Department of Employment Services at (800) 814-0513 and select option 1 for claimants and then option 5 to report identity theft.

In addition, individuals who receive debit cards should not activate their cards and should have their credit report checked for suspicious activity.

"Pandemic unemployment assistance was meant to help our communities by acting as a financial safety net from the unanticipated effects of COVID-19," Edly-Allen said. "If you believe that you are a victim of this fraudulent activity, please report it to IDES and file a police report as soon as possible."

Citizens who are a victim of this scheme should contact their local police department and call the Illinois Department of Employment Services at (800) 814-0513.