You may have been given a prepaid debit card to allow you to access your unemployment benefit funds. If there is money missing from your card and you suspect fraud, you must take action to help fight fraud. To begin resolving your issue, contact the bank that supplied the prepaid debit card rather than the state unemployment program. The bank would be able to see all of the transactions. The state unemployment program would not have access to this sensitive information.
Requesting that the bank examine any inaccuracies that you believe are to benefit fraud is your right. Your card information has probably been stolen if you discover unapproved transactions, even if you still have your actual prepaid debit card.
Help Fight Fraud – You Have Rights
If you suspect fraud, you have the right to report an error for examination and have it dealt with promptly. When it comes to prepaid cards, especially prepaid debit cards issued with jobless benefits, banks must comply with federal legislation. Regulation E mandates banks to notify you of their procedures for handling, receiving, and responding to your request for an inquiry into suspected fraud within particular time constraints.
There are four steps to remedy an unemployment benefits card issue caused by suspected fraud:
- Find out how to reach the bank that issued the card. You may usually find the bank’s contact information on the back of the card when you log into your account online or in the paperwork that came with your card.
- Contact your bank immediately and inform them that you are having problems with your card and suspect fraud. Waiting too long to report may make you liable for some or all of the unauthorized, illegal, or inaccurate charges, depending on the situation. Request how to file an error notice. If you are unable to reach your bank, proceed to step 4.
- Notify the bank that issued the card with an error notice. You can notify the bank by phone or in writing. After you tell them over the phone, some banks may need you to follow up with a written confirmation. If you are filing in writing, confirm the address to which you will be sending your complaint. The bank will need to investigate the matter once you file a notification. The bank will provide details on their findings and what the follow-up actions are. In some cases, the review might last 45 or 90 days.
- You can submit a complaint to the CFPB should you not reach your bank or financial institution, do not receive a response, or feel that there is no resolution to your issue. CFPB will forward it to the bank and work to get you an answer.