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Got a weird text about my ny unemployment account being flagged - is this legit or a scam?

Yesterday I got this weird text message saying my unemployment account had suspicious activity and I needed to verify my identity. The text had a link to click on that looked kinda official but something felt off about it. It said they detected multiple login attempts from different locations and my payments would be suspended if I didn't verify within 48 hours. I've been collecting benefits for about 4 months after getting laid off in June, and everything has been normal until now. I'm worried because I really need this money for rent next week. Has anyone else gotten something like this recently? I'm afraid to click the link but also afraid of losing my benefits. The text came from a weird number not the usual NY unemployment texts I get. Should I call the actual unemployment office instead?

DO NOT CLICK THAT LINK! 100% scam alert 🚨 These lowlifes are targeting people on unemployment right now. The real NY unemployment department never sends texts with links asking for identity verification. They only send official mail or messages through your online account. If they need to verify your identity, they'll send you a letter with instructions to upload documents through their secure portal.

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Layla Sanders

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Omg thank you!! I almost clicked it cuz I was panicking about losing my benefits. Should I report it somewhere?

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yeah definitely report it to NY unemployment and maybe the FTC too. these scammers are getting more sophisticated all the time 😡

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Kaylee Cook

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My cousin clicked on one of those links and ended up with his identity stolen. Took him like 6 months to get everything sorted out.

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After struggling to get through to ny unemployment for weeks, I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real agent. They called the unemployment office and when they reached a live person, they forwarded the call to my phone. Talking to an agent got my benefits unlocked so fast! It was the only way I could talk to a real person after trying for days. Check out their video here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Lara Woods

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wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS? i've been trying to get through to someone for like 3 weeks now

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Yes it actually works! I was super skeptical too but I was desperate after trying to call for 2 weeks straight. They stayed on hold so I didn't have to and then connected me when a real person answered.

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Adrian Hughes

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hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different? do they need access to your account or anything?

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They don't need any access to your account at all. They just do the calling and waiting on hold part, then connect you when someone answers. I was able to explain my situation directly to the agent and got my issue fixed in one call.

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i tried this yesterday and it actually worked!! after weeks of not getting through I finally talked to a real person and got my payment issue resolved 💯

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Lara Woods

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I got the exact same text last week! It's 10000% a scam. The real unemployment department already has your info, they won't ask for it again through a sketchy text link. I called the official number (not from the text) to check my account status and everything was fine.

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This is a huge scam going around right now. My roomate almost fell for it last month. NYSDOL will never send you texts with links asking for personal info. They always communicate through your secure message inbox on the official website or by mail. If you're ever unsure, log into your account directly (not through any links) or call the official number.

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Kaylee Cook

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the official number is impossible to get thru to tho 😭 I tried calling like 20 times yesterday

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yeah its a nightmare. i had to use claimyr.com to finally get someone on the phone. Only way I could get through.

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Kaylee Cook

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thx for the tip! just checked it out and gonna try it tomorrow

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Ian Armstrong

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These scams are all over the place right now. I've gotten 3 different ones in the past month. One text, one email, and one actual phone call claiming to be from unemployment. The real NY unemployment office will NEVER ask for your personal info through a text link. They already have your SSN and other verification info. If they really need to verify something, they'll send an official letter with instructions to log into your account the normal way.

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Eli Butler

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I got a call too! Some guy with a thick accent saying my account was suspended. When I asked questions he got super aggressive lol

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Ian Armstrong

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Yup that's exactly what happened to me! They try to scare you into giving up your info. Total scumbags preying on people who are already struggling 😡

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Eli Butler

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The legitimate NY Unemployment Department will NEVER: - Send texts with links asking you to verify identity - Call you asking for your full social security number - Email you links to strange websites - Threaten immediate suspension without proper notice If you get ANY communication that seems suspicious, DON'T interact with it. Instead: 1. Log into your account directly through the official website (labor.ny.gov) 2. Check your secure message inbox for official communications 3. Call the official unemployment number directly (not any number from the suspicious message) 4. Report the scam attempt to the NYS Department of Labor These scammers are getting extremely sophisticated and their timing is calculated - they know people are anxious about their benefits and more likely to respond without thinking. If you need to actually speak with someone and can't get through on the phone (which is unfortunately common), I've had success using claimyr.com - they connect you with a live agent without the endless waiting. Worth checking out if you're stuck trying to resolve an issue.

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Layla Sanders

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Thank you for all this info! I definitely won't click anything. I'll try to call them directly instead.

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Adrian Hughes

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This should be pinned at the top of this sub honestly. So many people falling for these scams.

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What's claimyr? Never heard of it but I've been trying to get through to unemployment for like 3 weeks now

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Eli Butler

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It's a service that calls unemployment for you and stays on hold, then forwards the call to you when a live agent answers. Saved me hours of hold time. claimyr.com

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Adrian Hughes

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Scammers really are the worst. Targeting people who are already struggling financially. I bet they sent that same text to thousands of people hoping a few would bite. The sad thing is some people will fall for it because they're desperate and afraid of losing their benefits. Always be skeptical of any unexpected communication asking you to verify info or click links - even if it seems urgent.

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My grandma almost fell for one of these. She got an email saying her benefits were suspended and she needed to provide her banking info to get them reinstated. Luckily she called me first.

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Adrian Hughes

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That's terrible! Glad she checked with you first. These scammers specifically target vulnerable people 😡

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Yep, got the same exact scam text last week! The real ny unemployment only communicates through your online account message center or by official mail. If you're worried, go directly to the official website (don't click any links) and check your account messages. You can also call the official number (though good luck getting through lol).

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Lydia Bailey

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I work in IT security and these unemployment scams are EVERYWHERE right now. The scammers know exactly what they're doing - creating panic so you react without thinking. Always remember that government agencies don't communicate important account issues via text links. They use official mail or secure message systems. Never click suspicious links, and always verify by going directly to the official website or calling the official number (not any number in the suspicious message).

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Layla Sanders

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Thanks for confirming. Do you know if I should report this somewhere? I still have the text.

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Lydia Bailey

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Yes definitely report it! You can forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and also notify the NY Department of Labor through their contact form. Every report helps them track these scams.

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Mateo Warren

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I got the EXACT same scam text yesterday too! The timing is crazy, they must be hitting a bunch of people at once. I called the actual unemployment office to double check (took forever to get thru tho) and they confirmed it was a scam. My account was totally fine.

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Layla Sanders

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How did you manage to get through on the phone? I've been trying all morning with no luck

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Mateo Warren

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Honestly it was a nightmare. I called like 30+ times over 2 days. They really need to fix their phone system smh

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Ian Armstrong

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Try claimyr.com - it's the only way I could get through after trying for days

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Sofia Price

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omg the ny unemployment scams are OUT OF CONTROL lately!! I've gotten like 3 different fake texts in the past month. Always saying some BS about account verification or suspended payments. If your account really had a problem, they would tell you in your secure inbox on the official site.

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Alice Coleman

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my sister works for NY unemployment and she says they're dealing with a HUGE wave of these scams right now. they NEVER ask for verification through text links. if there was really something wrong with your account, you'd get a letter in the mail or a message in your secure inbox when you log in to the official site. these scammers are targeting thousands of people hoping some will fall for it.

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Layla Sanders

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That's good to know. Has your sister mentioned any legit ways to get through to a real person? I've been trying for days with no luck

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Alice Coleman

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She says calling early in the morning right when they open is your best bet. But honestly the phone system is so overloaded that even she admits it's nearly impossible to get through sometimes.

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Owen Jenkins

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I've been dealing with NY unemployment for over a year now and I've gotten at least 5 of these scam messages. The real department ONLY communicates through your secure message center or by mail. Never by text with links. The scammers are hoping you'll panic and click without thinking. Just ignore it and check your actual account by going directly to the official website.

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Lilah Brooks

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I just went through the same thing last month! Got a text saying my account was flagged for suspicious activity and I needed to verify my identity. I ignored it and checked my actual account on the labor.ny.gov website directly. Everything was fine, no issues with my account at all. It's definitely a scam.

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Layla Sanders

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Thanks for sharing your experience! I'll definitely check my actual account instead

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