PA ReliaCard hacked and funds stolen - can I recover my unemployment money?

omg tht happened to my cousin too!! she got her money back but it took like 3 weeks 😣 make sure u do the fraud form they send u and send it back SUPER fast

I went through this exact situation in February. You CAN get your money back, but you need to follow all the steps precisely: 1. Make sure your card is locked through the ReliaCard app or website immediately 2. File a police report - this is CRITICAL for the investigation 3. Complete the fraud claim form ReliaCard sends you (usually by email within 48 hours) 4. Submit the form with the police report number 5. Check your claim status every 3-4 days In my case, it took 12 business days to get my funds back. They're required by federal law to complete the investigation within 10 business days but can extend it to 45 days in certain circumstances. Keep all documentation of the fraudulent charges.

Have you called PA Unemployment directly about this? When my ReliaCard had fraudulent charges, I found out that ReliaCard and PA UC don't automatically communicate about these issues. I had to file a separate report with UC to document that I never received my benefits (since technically they fulfilled their obligation by loading the card).

If you're struggling to reach someone at PA UC about this issue, you might want to try Claimyr. I was in a similar situation with my ReliaCard being compromised and couldn't get through to a real person after trying for days. Claimyr got me connected to an actual UC rep in about 40 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 and their website is claimyr.com. Worth it when you're dealing with time-sensitive issues like fraud.

YES you can get your $$ back but you gotta document EVERYTHING!!! Screenshot the transactions, write down when you called and who you talked to, save all emails, EVERYTHING!!! I got hacked for $1,230 in March and it was a NIGHTMARE but I got every penny back after 17 days. Don't let them tell you different things every time you call - reference your previous calls and demand to speak to a supervisor if they try to change their story. The fraud department is separate from regular customer service so always ask to be transferred to FRAUD specifically.

One important thing nobody mentioned yet - Pennsylvania unemployment benefits are protected by FDIC insurance and Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfer Act). This means you are legally entitled to have fraudulent transactions reversed if you report them within 60 days. The bank that issues ReliaCard (U.S. Bank) is required by law to reimburse you if you didn't authorize the transactions. Make sure your dispute specifically mentions Regulation E protections. It significantly increases your chances of a favorable and faster resolution.

For your immediate rent situation - call PA UC and explain the situation. There's a hardship provision where they can sometimes issue emergency funds while the fraud investigation is ongoing. You'll need to document the hardship (like an eviction notice or late rent warning). Not everyone qualifies, but it's worth asking about.

This is such a stressful situation! I went through something similar last year and wanted to share what helped me get through it faster. In addition to what everyone else mentioned, make sure you're checking your ReliaCard account online daily - sometimes they post updates to your fraud case that they don't tell you about over the phone. Also, if you have any text messages or emails from ReliaCard about your recent payment, save those as proof of when the legitimate deposit was made vs when the fraudulent transactions occurred. The timeline matters for their investigation. And definitely take Grace's advice about mentioning Regulation E - that's what finally got my case escalated to someone who actually helped me instead of giving me the runaround. Hang in there, it will get resolved!