Peru police warns area residents of a statewide fraud regarding unemployment benefits

Peru Police Department issued an advisory Wednesday warning area residents of a statewide fraud regarding unemployment benefits. People are receiving a debit card for unemployment benefits from the state that they never applied for or requested. Scam artists are using the cards to obtain personal information from those who receive and then try to use the cards. Peru said a similar case was reported.

The Illinois Department of Employment Services is working with federal law enforcement authorities to investigate, pursue, and prosecute those who defraud the unemployment insurance system.

There are serious consequences for committing Unemployment Insurance Fraud, that may include: federal or state indictment, fines, prison of some combination thereof.

Anyone who receives unsolicited unemployment benefits in the mail is asked to call Peru police at 815-223-2151 and to contact IDES at 800-814-0513.