New York State Department of Labor has issued yet another warning regarding an Unemployment scam. It appears that people enjoy taking funds away from those who really need it.

Please forward this article to anyone you may know how has unemployment benefits with New York State!  You could be saving them money and aggravation!
The details:
--People (mostly on the Sprint network) are getting phone calls or text messages claiming to be from the Department of Labor. The calls/texts say that the person’s benefits card has been limited or deactivated, asking them to call the numbers provided.
-- When the person calls, they are asked to enter their card # and PIN #. This then gives the scammer access to the person’s funds.

The Department of Labor is reportedly working with Chase banks (the outfit that distributes unemployment benefits cards) to rectify this situation. If you are ever unsure about whether a call, letter or text are legitimate, don't give out your information.  Instead, you can always call the Customer Service line on your benefits card and ask them yourself.  Commissioner M. Patricia Smith has said of the incidents:

Please, if you get a call or text message advising you that the Labor Department has limited or deactivated your credit card, DO NOT call the number provided. Neither the Department of Labor or Chase will ever call and ask you for your debit card account information. I can’t emphasize that enough.

In the meantime, if you receive one of these calls:

--Do NOT respond.
--Delete the message.
If you have received this call/text and have already given out your PIN #, please contact the Customer Service phone number on the back of your card for help.
Please forward this article to anyone you may know how has unemployment benefits with New York State!  You could be saving them money and aggravation!