Published: September 6, 2018

THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION (BWC) IS WARNING TENNESSEANS OF A SCAM IN WHICH VICTIMS ARE CONTACTED VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER AND THEN ASKED TO WIRE FUNDS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE MONEY FROM A FEDERAL WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM.  ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND, A TENNESSEE RESIDENT WAS CONTACTED VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER TO TELL HER THAT SHE WAS ENTITLED TO MONEY THROUGH THE NEW PROGRAM WHICH IS DESIGNED TO HELP RETIRED, SEMI RETIRED, WORKING CLASS AND LOW INCOME EARNERS.  THE SCAM ARTIST USED THE ACCOUNT OF AN ACTUAL FACEBOOK FRIEND OF THE VICTIM AND TOLD HER SHE COULD RECEIVE UPWARDS OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.  IN ORDER TO COLLECT COMPENSATION, THE VICTIM WAS TOLD SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY UPFRONT THE TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY.  THE WOMAN EVENTUALLY STOPPED COMMUNICATING WITH THE PERSON AND CONTACTED THE BUREAU OF WORKER'S COMPENSATION WHO ASSURED HER THIS WAS NOT A PROGRAM. IF ANYONE RECEIVES AN UNSOLICITED FACEBOOK MESSAGE CLAIMING THEY ARE ENTITLED TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THROUGH THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BLOCK THE SENDER AND CONTACT FACEBOOK TO REPORT THE SCAM.