If you have filed for unemployment benefits and receive a text message claiming to be from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), ignore it – it’s a scam. UIA does not use text messaging to correspond with claimants.

The Agency’s anti-fraud investigators have learned of a recent phishing scheme to try to steal money and personal information from Michigan workers who have lost jobs through no fault of their own. The text message comes from an out-of-state phone number and provides a link to claim back payments. Do not click on the link. Report it as junk or spam and delete the text.

“Bad actors are constantly using sophisticated methods to try to steal the money you deserve,” said UIA Director Julia Dale. “UIA will not tolerate criminals who try to steal money from hard-working Michiganders. Fighting fraud and providing exemplary customer service are our top priorities. If you suspect anyone of trying to get your personal information or steal your benefits, let us know right away.”

UIA communicates with claimants through their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account, letters mailed to the current address on file or by phone.

“Criminals use real government references to try and trick consumers into taking action that then makes it possible for them to steal from you,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “The initial contact could come in any form—letter, phone call, email, or text message. No matter the form, the goal is the same: to get your personal information and steal your money. Don't fall for it!”

The suspicious text message is from a phone number with a 210 Area Code, which is in Texas. The message reads in part: “MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: Your back payment deposit of $2,800 is now pending on your profile.” It then instructs the recipient to click on a strange link to receive payment. The link is to a fake, replica UIA website.

This is an example of a government imposter scam, which Nessel highlights on the Department of Attorney General's Consumer Alerts page.

Here are 10 tips from the UIA to protect your personal information:

• Scrutinize the webpage URL or link that you receive. If it is not an official Michigan.gov website, do not use it.
• If you do not trust a website or information, call UIA’s Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017 to verify what you are seeing.
• You should only link to UIA information or services through gov/UIA.
• UIA will never ask a claimant to provide logins, passwords or banking information.
• UIA will never ask a claimant to send information to our personal emails.
• UIA will never ask a claimant to text information back.
• Keep your MiLOGIN and MiWAM information secure, do not provide it to anyone.
• If someone calls and you are suspicious about the intent, hang up and call UIA at 1-866-500-0017 and request staff to send information to you through your MiWAM account.
• If a caller provides information that sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Hang up.
• Make sure your contact information is current should UIA staff need to reach you.

If you suspect fraud or identity theft, report it by clicking on the Report Fraud and Identity Theft link at Michigan.gov/UIA and fill out a referral form. Be sure to fill out all the information and make sure it is current. Staff will respond to you in a timely manner. A UIA video explains how to report identity theft.

Stopping fraud is a key priority of Director Dale’s transformation of the UIA. In the eight months since her appointment as director, Director Dale has:

• Implemented new policies for employees and contractors, including fingerprinting, criminal background checks, and an updated ethics policy.
• Collaborated with the Attorney General’s office to combat fraud at the agency.
• Worked closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to bring bad actors to justice. To date, more than 50 individuals have been charged in connection with fraud cases, 13 have pleaded or been convicted and 6 sentenced for their crimes.
• Built a new, user-friendly website, and collaborated with nonprofit partners to improve access to the website and all other agency interactions with the public.
• Authorized 55,000 overpayment waivers with more to come. She also secured from the U.S. Department of Labor a temporary pause on certain collections for those who faced overpayments.
• Rebuilt the Trust Fund to $1.4 billion (and growing).