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COLUMBUS — Authorities say a text message scam is targeting Ohioans who receive unemployment benefits.
Attorney General Richard Cordray said Wednesday that people are receiving fraudulent text messages on their cell phones that claim to be from state unemployment agencies. The messages tell recipients that their unemployment benefits have been suspended and to call the provided phone number to reactivate them.
Cordray said that when people call, they are asked for personal information, including debit card numbers and personal identification numbers. At that point, unemployment benefits are accessed and withdrawn by the scam artist.
State officials are working with the debit card provider, U.S. Bank, to further protect, inform and educate customers. Anyone who receives one of these fraudulent messages should not respond.
