Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing warning public of workers’ compensation scams

Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing warning public of workers’ compensation scams

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) is warning Iowans about a scam targeting workers’ compensation benefits.

Scammers have been impersonating state authorities and attempting to scam injured workers into paying, “fictitious, upfront fees” according to DIAL.

In a recent incident, an injured worker was contacted via a fraudulent letter that mimicked the letterhead of DIAL. The worker contacted the group and established a meeting with whom he believed was DIAL.

After the fake hearing took place, the scammers notified the worker that they had prevailed and were entitled to more than $180,000 in benefits. However, the “decision” letter required the worker to pay $6,000 in upfront fees before he could claim the funds.

Some key warning signs for these type of scams often involve a demand for upfront payment, pressure tactics that create a false sense of urgency, as well as some form of forged letterhead via a letter or email.

DIAL advises to never send money, especially if you’re unsure of the legitimacy of the experience. Contact DIAL directly and report the incident at the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

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