Protecting Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits from Sophisticated Scams

Navigating the aftermath of a workplace injury is stressful enough without the added threat of fraud. The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation recently issued a critical scam alert regarding impersonators targeting claimants across several states. These scammers often pose as judges, attorneys, or government officials, using high-pressure tactics to demand "fees" or personal banking information before benefits can be released. It is vital to remember that you should never be asked to pay money to receive your workers’ compensation benefits, and legitimate state agencies will never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

These fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated, using spoofed email addresses and fake hearing notices that appear official. Red flags include unexpected calls from out-of-state "attorneys," requests for routing numbers on "state forms," or messages from non-government email domains. Because these communications are designed to look authentic, the safest course of action is to verify any suspicious request directly through official state channels or your trusted legal counsel before sharing any sensitive information.

At Berke, Berke & Berke, we believe our job is to act as a shield for our clients, ensuring their rights are protected from both insurance company pushback and external bad actors. If you are struggling with the workers’ compensation process or have received a communication regarding your claim that doesn't feel right, we are here to help you navigate the system safely. Please contact us today at (423) 266-5171 to ensure your claim—and your identity—remain secure throughout your recovery.