Scammers are using phony job ads to steal an estimated $7 billion from US taxpayers in fraudulent unemployment benefits — including $800 million in New York State alone, according to a new security study. The scam works by duping would-be job seekers into applying for work, then stealing the crucial personal information they share and applying for unemployment in their names, according to data and analytics company LexisNexis Risk Solutions, which says cybercriminals have posted 18,000 fake job listings. Popular job sites like LinkedIn or Indeed are common breeding grounds for the scheme, according to the summer study, Haywood Talcove, CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Government Group, told The Post. “What always spikes fraud in government is a disaster, if you look at hurricanes, earthquakes or fires,” said Talcove. “Frauds come out the woodwork during a disaster to take advantage of cash payments that the federal government makes.” The scam tricks would-be job seekers into applying for work, then stealing crucial personal information.Getty Images The schemes can be so sophisticated, victims handing over their Social Security numbers or driver’s licenses may actually think they’re about to be hired somewhere. “I went through an interview. It took an hour. They said log in…
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Unemployment frauds using identity theft to steal billions: study – New York Post
