(Columbus) - Keep an eye on your mail, as that's how you may find out you've been the victim of an unemployment scammer. If you receive a 1099 Form in the mail from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, but you never filed for jobless benefits, it's likely someone applied for benefits in your name.
The ODJFS says that this has been an ongoing scam. In fact, Governor Mike DeWine, his wife Fran, and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted all had jobless benefits filed for in their names. The governor said during his Tuesday news conference, "We weren't sure exactly what anyone is trying to accomplish there, with us, but we know that there's a been a lot of those."
If you were a victim of this scam, notify ODJFS immediately, either through its website, or by calling 1-800-686-1555. That will help the state in trying to track down identity theft, but also importantly, to notify the IRS that you didn't receive the benefits listed on the 1099.
(Photo courtesy Internal Revenue Service)
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