NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) has become aware of multiple attempts by fraudsters to obtain individuals’ personal and confidential information through fake Facebook pages and is reminding New Mexicans to never provide their information to anyone over social media.  

“Under no circumstances should New Mexicans ever share their social security numbers, addresses, and other personal information on Facebook or any other social media,” NMDWS Secretary Bill McCamley said. “Thieves are looking to use your information to steal from taxpayers, and this can affect your tax information and credit rating. Protect yourself and don’t make their crimes easier.”

NMDWS operates a Facebook page under the name “New Mexico Dept. of Workforce Solutions” and handle “@NewMexicoDWS.” Several similarly named pages have appeared over the past few weeks, and some scammers have directly contacted followers on NMDWS’s legitimate page pretending to offer assistance and sometimes offering a fake U.S. Department of Labor email address to solicit a response.

These individuals or groups may represent themselves as legitimate entities and will promise that they can obtain unemployment benefits on a claimant’s behalf. They may try to charge a fee for this service.

Important tips

• NMDWS’s Facebook and Instagram pages have a blue check mark next to the name that identifies it as a verified page.
• Comments by the legitimate NMDWS page also have a blue check mark next to them indicating it as a verified page. If a comment or page looks like NMDWS but does not have this check box on Facebook or Instagram, it is a fraudster posing as NMDWS.
• NMDWS offers responses to general questions but will never ask for claimants’ information over social media.
  

The only phone number for the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center is 1-877-664-6984.

The ONLY legitimate way to file for Unemployment Insurance benefits in New Mexico is through the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, either online at www.jobs.state.nm.us or by calling 1-877-664-6984. There is NEVER a charge to file for Unemployment Insurance benefits.

NMDWS is working with Facebook to quickly identify and remove fraudulent pages and comments.

Suspected fraud activities should be reported by calling the Unemployment Fraud Investigations line at (505) 243-7283 or by email at id.verify@state.nm.us. New Mexicans concerned about COVID-19 related fraud or other scamming activity are urged to immediately file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General at nmag.gov.