Submitted by Richard Allen, EA, AFSP

The IAAI was among the first sources to publicize the following
information We are recently given an update by IDES’  Fraud
Investigation Unit.

The latest information given by IDES is that these UNSOLICITED Keybank
debit cards FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DID NOT APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
BENEFITS, are part of an actual fraud scheme. IDES indicates that federal
and state units are investigating this.

Here is what they told IAAI to tell our clients if they have received one of
these UNSOLICITED DEBIT CARDS

1. Report this fraud to IDES immediately. Call 800-814-0513, then select option 1, followed by option 5 for the Fraud Unit.

2. Do not “activate” this card. Destroy it. No need to file any police report.

3. Client should check their credit report by calling one of the credit bureaus below.
a. Experian: www.experian.com to add an alert and view your report immediately; 1 888 397 3742.
b. Equifax: 1 800 525 6285, www.equifax.com.
c. TransUnion: 1 800 680 7289, www.transunion.com.

4. At the same time post a Fraud Alert with that credit bureau.

5. For further information, go to www.ftc.gov for further information.

IAAI’s members touch an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 Illinois taxpayers. Our goal is to help our members better serve the tax and accounting clients.

The following was part of the information we reported during the week of July 15, 2020.

Local ABC News is reporting on a new scam involving Keybank debit cards actually authorized by the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDES). Details below.

IDES normally issues debit cards to recipients of unemployment benefits. These real debit cards are issued Keybank, a Cleveland Ohio bank.

Yesterday, local ABC news in Chicago reported many SENIORS have been receiving these cards in an unsolicited mail. These appear to be actual cards, actually sent by IDES in connection with Keybank. Recipients have
reported calling Keybank to find out there are funds amounting to several thousand dollars.

A suburban Chicago police department yesterday reported dozens of phone calls for senior citizens in their towns who have received such cars. Today, one of my tax clients who has received this card called me.

It appears that somehow the IDES computer systems have been HACKED to issue these cards to individuals who are not receiving unemployment benefits. If these funds were really transferred to Keybank debit cards, IDES will eventually want their funds bank. Meanwhile, it is unknown why the hackers have done this. Will they try to get these debit card balances back from the seniors who received these cards? Will they try to steal their identities? No one knows yet why this hacking has been done.