Unemployment Scams
The Peoria County Sheriff's Office has received an alarming number of Unemployment-related scam reports since November 2020.
Residents are reporting that they have received debit or KeyBank cards that claim to hold unemployment funds, but the resident did not apply for unemployment benefits. If you receive a debit card from the Illinois Department of Employment Services (IDES), but did not file a legitimate unemployment claim with their office, do not activate the card or spend any pre-loaded funds that may be on the card. Contact our Victim Services Coordinator, Aimee, or the IDES office immediately.
Residents have also reported that false unemployment claims have been filed in their name, listing the resident's current or most recent employer. In this instance, the resident's employer has been notified of the unemployment claim by the Illinois Department of Employment Services and will then contact the employee to alert them of the claim. Please contact your employer's department of Human Resources for further assistance, or contact Aimee if you have any additional questions.
Peoria County residents or employers who have questions relating to Unemployment Scams can contact Aimee at 309-697-7855. Additional information and online reporting can also be found on the Illinois Department of Employment Services website.