NMDWS Issues Alert On Text-Message Scams

NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) warns New Mexicans to be on alert for scammers who pretend to be NMDWS through text message for the purpose of unlawfully capturing individuals personal information.

NMDWS has received reports of claimants and members of the public receiving scam cell-phone text-messages to trick unemployment insurance claimants into clicking a link and disclosing personally identifiable information and other sensitive data. That information can then be used by fraudsters to commit identity theft.

NMDWS from this point forward will halt text messaging efforts other than those selected by individuals who indicate text as their preferred notification preference. This change is to protect New Mexicans who may be unsure whether a text message is legitimate.

Some key tips to help determine whether a text message is a scam:

  • Text messages asking people to reactivate a card by clicking on a link are scams. NMDWS and EPPIcard will never text message people to reactivate a debit card.
  • Protect your Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and never give out your login information including your password to anyone. NMDWS will never ask for any PII over text.
  • Review a URL before clicking on it, the official link for NMDWS website is https://www.dws.state.nm.us.
  • Secure websites will always have the https that prevents communication from being intercepted and read by anyone but you and the website you are connected to.
  • Log in to your UI claimant home page for important messages regarding your claim or contact a Customer Service Representative 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1.877.664.6984.

The U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission also have warned consumers about this type of scam. Information about how to avoid text-message scams is available through the Federal Trade Commission, FBI, and the NMDWS webpage for UI and Job Scam Warning https://www.dws.state.nm.us/ScamWarning.

For individuals who feel they have been a victim of identity theft due to unemployment insurance fraud, the department asks that you report it immediately by submitting a Fraud Affidavit Form and following the steps outlined on here https://www.dws.state.nm.us/IdentityTheft.

Examples of scam text messages:

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