The Upper Macungie Township Police Department (UMTPD) has recently seen an uptick in incidents of residents reporting that they have received unemployment checks even though they have never filed for unemployment benefits.
On May 24th 2020, The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued an advisory for this type of scam and warned that "fraudsters are using personal information that they have obtained without permission from other sources to file for PUA benefits and route their payments to their own bank accounts."
If you have received either an unwarranted check or direct deposit for unemployment benefits, do not cash the check or use the money deposited in your account. Contact police (610-437-5252 Non Emergency Line) and file a police report immediately.
If you fall within the category of receiving one of these checks, you should check your credit and remain vigilant about protecting your personal information.
Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding this Nixle advisory. Thank you and stay safe.
###Nickischer 06/15/20 1430 hrs.
