Husband, wife targeted amid unemployment scam spike

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The COVID pandemic and spiking unemployment has led to an increase in unemployment scams in New England, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Paula Fleming, head of marketing and sales for the BBB New England region, told ABC 6 News that the organization receives emails and calls daily from potential victims; and thousands of people have been directly affected by the scam.

Fleming and her husband were also victims themselves. She was targeted last week, and her husband last month.

“It’s a total violation of my career, my personal, what other information do they have? So, it’s violation and also fear. What other information do they have access to?” Fleming said.

According to Fleming, if you’re a victim of this scam, you need to act fast.

“You have to contact the department of unemployment, you have to contact the police department; file a claim with them, you have to contact the Experian, TransUnion,” Fleming said.

For more information on this scam and ways to protect yourself, click here.