Scammers posing as judges and attorneys are targeting Wisconsin workers who have open workers' compensation cases, scheduling fake virtual hearings to steal money and personal information.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has received reports of the scheme, which uses a fake account called the ",Workers' Compensation Board" and emails from the domain "@workcompcourt.org" according to the DWD's fraud alert page.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported on the scam Nov. 6.
The fraudulent proceedings involve people pretending to be judges, bailiffs, attorneys and prosecutors who mimic a court hearing, according to the DWD. The scammers contact workers through WhatsApp and, according to the Journal Sentinel, also through Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
How the scam works
People with open workers' comp claims receive messages inviting them to a virtual hearing. During the fake proceeding, the worker may be told they won their case. Then comes the catch: the scammers demand a fee, bank account details, Social Security numbers or gift card purchases before any supposed benefits are released.
The scammers use pressure tactics, urging workers to act fast or face losing their settlement money, the Journal Sentinel reported.
Wisconsin law firm Hawks Quindel SC said the scam messages most frequently target Spanish-speaking users.
Gabriel Manzano, an attorney at Hawks Quindel, told the Journal Sentinel that judges, attorneys, insurance representatives and state agencies do not require injured workers to pay upfront fees to receive workers' compensation benefits.
What legitimate hearings look like
The DWD's Worker's Compensation Division schedules hearings only through written letter, not through messaging apps or unofficial email. Those letters include the date, time, location and instructions for participation.
Real workers' compensation hearings are almost always held in person, not virtually. All attorneys handling workers' comp cases in Wisconsin must be licensed to practice law in the state. All phone numbers on DWD correspondence will have Wisconsin area codes.
Official forms are available only from the DWD website at dwd.wisconsin.gov. Forms found on other sites should not be trusted, the agency said.
What to do
The DWD advises anyone who receives a suspicious message about a workers' comp hearing to contact the Worker's Compensation Division directly at 608-266-1340 to verify whether the communication is legitimate.
Workers who have an attorney should confirm any hearing notice with their lawyer before responding.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of identity theft can contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128.
