Unemployment scam surfaces

PANAMA CITY -- During the last few months the Bay County Sheriff’s Office has received an increasing number of complaints from people who discovered someone had used their information to obtain unemployment benefits.

Victims became aware of the problem when checking their credit and learned their addresses and personal financial information had been changed.

Investigators with the BCSO have contacted the Unemployment Fraud Department about these complaints. Anyone who believes they have been victimized in this manner should call 1-800-767-4231 or contact BCSO.

BCSO encourages everyone to safeguard their identity information by diligently shredding unwanted credit card applications and financial paperwork before throwing these items into the trash.