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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanda Seeney (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2008
Gov. Blunt, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Warn of Possible Unemployment Insurance Scam
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations are warning Missourians of a possible scam involving the processing of unemployment insurance (UI) claims.
“Missourians need to be aware that there are criminals and scam artists seeking to rip them off,” Gov. Blunt said. “I have urged the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to continue doing all it can to inform our citizens about these scams to protect taxpayers from fraud.”
The processing of Missouri UI claims is a free service provided by the Department’s Division of Employment Security. Under Missouri law, workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and are actively seeking work may be eligible to receive up to 26 weeks of UI benefits. To file a Missouri unemployment insurance claim, please visit the Internet site, www.moclaim.com. The official Internet site of the Missouri Department of Labor is www.dolir.mo.gov.
Missourians should be aware that the Internet site, www.unemploymentbenefits.com, has no association with the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Administrators of the site are charging consumers fees ranging from $3-10 to file a UI claim. Consumers are asked to provide a credit or debit card number and a payment is sent to PayPal.
“Attempts to scam Missourians by deceit and fraud will not be tolerated,” said Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Todd Smith. “We have notified the Attorney General’s office, and it is my hope that the perpetrators will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
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Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)