Received random Wisely card in mail - is this ny unemployment or a scam?

Yes! I got one too about 3 weeks ago. I was super confused at first and almost threw it away thinking it was junk mail. After calling the number on the back, I found out it WAS actually my unemployment payment. For some reason NY unemployment switched my payment method without telling me. Had to activate it and transfer the $$ to my bank account. Check if there's money on it!

After spending WEEKS trying to get anyone on the phone about my screwed up payments, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it got me connected to an actual human at unemployment in less than an hour. Best money I've ever spent to get my benefits fixed fast! They had a live agent call MY phone instead of me waiting on hold forever. Showed them a video about it too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Those Wisely cards are actually issued by NY unemployment. They randomly started switching some people from direct deposit. I had same thing happen in October. There should be a number on the card/materials to call and check your balance. If there's money on it, then it's your benefits.

I got one too and thought it was a scam!!!! But it had actual money from unemployment on it! Apparently NY now uses these cards if theres any kinda 'issue' with your direct deposit (which in my case was literally nothing wrong 🙄). Call the number on back to check your balance first before you do anything else.

BEWARE OF WISELY CARD SCAMS!!!! There are fake versions of these cards being sent out. Real NY unemployment cards would come with official NYSDOL documentation and explanation. If it doesn't clearly say it's from NY unemployment, it's probably a scam. DON'T ACTIVATE IT without calling unemployment directly first.

OH. MY. GOD. This entire system is so broken. Why would they randomly send cards without telling people?? I've had so many issues with NY unemployment changing things without notification. First they stopped letting me certify online for no reason. Then they held my payments for 'review' for 6 weeks. Now they're sending random cards?? I'm so done with this.

Here's what's actually happening with these Wisely cards (I used to work in banking): NY unemployment has been switching some payments from direct deposit to these prepaid debit cards when: 1. There's any kind of issue with your bank account info (even minor) 2. Your claim has been flagged for additional verification 3. You're receiving a retroactive/backpay payment 4. They're trying to clear payment backlogs The cards ARE legitimate but the communication about them has been terrible. You can verify by calling the number on the back and checking if there's a balance. Don't give out your SSN to verify - you should only need the card details and a PIN you create. To avoid fees, either transfer the money to your bank account through their portal or withdraw at an in-network ATM (usually MoneyPass ATMs). Don't keep using the card for purchases as there can be transaction fees. If you're still concerned, try reaching unemployment directly. I've heard claimyr.com can get you connected to a real person faster than trying to call yourself. Hope this helps!

Just got off the phone with unemployment (miracle of miracles lol). They confirmed they ARE sending these cards out to some people. If you already verified your identity thru ID.me and have been receiving benefits, it's probably legit. If you've never applied for unemployment or havent verified your identity, it could be fraud.

I didn't get a wisely card but my coworker did and she said it had her backpay on it that she'd been waiting on for months. Weird that they don't tell u its coming tho!

classic ny unemployment move...switching payment methods without telling anyone 🤡 they did this to me in December. checked and had $3400 on the card! almost threw it away thinking it was junk mail smh

This happened to me! Called the number on back, activated it, and found out I had $2640 of unemployment benefits on it! The letter should have the money network/wisely logo. Just be careful about fees - they charge for some ATM withdrawals.

yo dont throw it away!!!! i almost did the same thing. ny unemployment is randomly sending these out instead of direct deposit. its so stupid that they dont warn people but its probably ur money

The switch to these cards is because of the massive fraud issues NY unemployment has been having. My brother-in-law works for the state and said they're trying to cut down on direct deposit scams. But yeah, they should REALLY tell people before sending these out.

I work at a bank and we've seen a ton of these lately. They're legit prepaid cards that NY unemployment is using for some payments now. You can bring it to your bank and they can help you transfer the funds to your account if you don't want to deal with the card.

ANYONE ELSE NOTICE how they send these cards but make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to talk to anyone about them!?!?! It's like they WANT people to be confused!!! I've been calling for over a week with no answer. The whole system is designed to make you give up. 😤

It's probly legit but be aware there are FEES with these cards! They charge you after a certain number of withdrawals and there's a fee to transfer to your bank account if you do it wrong. Read all the fine print before you use it.

had same issue with wisely card, nobody could tell me if it was real, ended up being my backpay. the REAL scam is how they dont explain ANYTHING about the process 😂