ESD Warns Of Text Scam Targeting Unemployment Applicants

OLYMPIA, WA — The Employment Security Department (ESD) is sounding the alarm about a new scam targeting unemployment applicants.

The ESD says, since Thursday morning they've received "numerous" reports of people receiving a fishy looking text message, claiming to be from the ESD. The text message provides a link, which the ESD warns should not be clicked.

The ESD wants to remind everyone that their department will never ask for:

• Information over Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social media platforms.
• Credit card or bank account numbers.
• Your Social security number over email. They may ask over the phone or on their website, and normally accept just the last four digits.
• Information about medical issue.
• You account and login info for their eServices.

Finally, they say they'll never ask for a payment to process a claim, and they definitely will not ask someone to buy gift cards or make payments over the phone — some of the telltale signs of a scam operation.