The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is warning the public about scams targeting workers.
In these scams, workers are contacted by phone, email, text message, or video call and told they must pay money to receive workers’ compensation benefits or to settle their claims. The scammers may falsely identify themselves as a judge, attorney, state employee, or other government representative. Some communications may appear official.
The Bureau does not charge workers to receive benefits or to settle claims.
The Bureau will never request payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or similar methods.
Official communications will not pressure you to act immediately or threaten loss of benefits for failure to pay fees.
If you receive a message that does not feel right, do not send money or personal information. Verify before you act. Preserve emails, voicemails, text messages, and payment requests as evidence.
Report the incident to local law enforcement and file a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office.