UNPRECEDENTED UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD CONTINUES ACROSS ILLINOIS AND THE NATION.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL SAYS SINCE JULY, HIS OFFICE HAS RECEIVED NEARLY FIVE THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD, OFTEN IN THE FORM OF A FAKE BENEFIT DEBIT CARD. RAOUL SAYS ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM OF THE SCAM, NOTING HE RECEIVED A PHONY CARD IN THE MAIL.

RAOUL RECOMMENDS KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR BANK STATEMENTS AND CREDIT REPORT IF YOU THINK YOU'RE INFORMATION HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY IS TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH OF THE MORE THAN 17 BILLION DOLLARS PAID OUT IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS SO FAR MAY HAVE BEEN FOR FRAUDULENT CLAIMS.