LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to Southern Nevada and also a growing threat of scams.
The Nevada Consumer League reports it has seen an uptick in complaints about a variety of scams preying on increasingly vulnerable, financially strapped, and fearful consumers in the state.
Unemployment benefits flagged for fraud over Nevada's confidential address program
Local resident Emanuel Galvan says he received a letter with a prepaid card from Netspend, but he never applied for one.
He says he was hopeful it could have money to help his family since he has been unemployed since April and is currently receiving unemployment assistance from the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
“It has my name on it. It has an expiration date and it has the three numbers on the back. So, my first thought was relief at first, but I don’t trust it, I don’t know what it is, it says activate as soon as possible, I don’t know... it's fishy,” said Galvan.
A DETR spokesperson told 13 Action News that they only use Bank of America for such payments,
“Definitely scared now, because they have my information and they know where I live. I don’t know what other information they have. It’s scary to know that in between the mist of this that is going on, it’s terrifying to see where is this headed,” Galvan said.
Multiple fraud complaints filed after strange unemployment claims sent to Nevada companies
13 Action News asked Nevada's attorney general about Galvan's situation, how he could be a victim of fraud.
"It may be [fraud] and that’s why we have availability in our office to receive phone calls and complains about this. If in doubt, don’t participate and put a phone call into our office,” said Neavda Attorney General Aaron D. Ford.
