By BJ Austin & Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-876192.mp3
Dallas, TX –
The Texas Workforce Commission warns those who've filed for unemployment benefits to beware of online scammers and unscrupulous business operators.
The TWC says some people on unemployment say they've received phony text messages - supposedly from the Commission - asking for confidential information, or telling them to phone a number to reactivate benefits.
Ann Hatchitt, with the Texas Workforce Commission, says many people are waiting on news about another round of "extended" unemployment benefits, and are eager to re-activate payments.
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Hatchitt: There's a lot of confusion. We're waiting for Congress to extend those. And so people aren't really sure, and they certainly are trying to be responsive to us. But we don't want them sending information thru text messages because the message didn't come from us.
Hatchitt says the phony text message asks for personal information, or advises the recipient to call a certain number to re-start payments. She says the Texas Workforce Commission NEVER uses text messages, does not make home visits, and never asks for personal identification numbers, or PINS.
To learn more about red flags to watch out for, or learn more about unemployment benefits, visit the blog on kera.org/economy