Attorney general warns of workers’ compensation fraud scheme

RALEIGH — North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning residents who file workers’ compensation claims about a fraud scheme involving people posing as government, judicial or Industrial Commission officials.

The N.C. Department of Justice issued the warning Friday, June 5. According to the department, scammers are contacting claimants by phone, email or text and pretending to be a government employee, judge, attorney or someone with the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

The Industrial Commission administers the state’s workers’ compensation laws.

The department said the scammers pressure people into joining fake online workers’ compensation hearings and then demand payment before the person can receive benefits or a settlement.

“If you are asked to make an initial payment to receive workers’ compensation benefits or a settlement, it’s a scam,” Jackson said in the release.

Industrial Commission Chair Philip Baddour said scammers are targeting people who are trying to access benefits they are legally entitled to receive. He encouraged anyone targeted by the scheme to report it to the commission’s Criminal Investigations Division.

The Department of Justice said legitimate agencies, including the North Carolina Industrial Commission, will not request payment to release workers’ compensation benefits or settlement funds.

State officials advised residents not to send money in exchange for benefits or settlements. Anyone who receives a suspicious message should delete it, block the sender and avoid responding. The department also recommends calling the Industrial Commission directly to verify any communication that appears questionable.

Reports may be made to the Industrial Commission Criminal Investigations Division by emailing fraudcomplaints@ic.nc.gov or by calling 888-891-4895.

The warning comes as state and federal agencies continue to report scams that impersonate public officials, courts and agencies. Workers’ compensation claimants may be particularly vulnerable because they are often waiting for official communication about medical treatment, wage replacement or settlements.

Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.