Madison, Wisconsin – Hawks Quindel, S.C. is urging injured workers across Wisconsin to be careful with any email, text or call about a workers’ compensation hearing or award. Scammers have been inviting people with open claims to fake online hearings, telling them they won, and then asking them to pay fees before the money is released.

The firm published a warning on its website on September 29, written by Attorney Gabriel Manzano, who represents injured workers from the firm’s Madison office. It follows a fraud alert from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in July about the same kind of scheme.

How the Scam Works

According to DWD, the fraudsters send emails from groups with official-sounding names like the “Workers’ Compensation Board,” often from “.org” addresses such as @workcompcourt.org. The emails invite injured workers to an “online workers’ compensation hearing” on WhatsApp, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

The hearing looks real. People play the parts of a judge, a bailiff and attorneys. At the end, the worker is told they won an award, but that they need to pay a fee to finalize the case. Some victims are also asked for bank information, Social Security numbers or gift cards. DWD said the scheme has mainly targeted Spanish-speaking workers.

“People with an open workers’ comp claim are often out of work, behind on bills and waiting on money they need,” said Manzano. “That’s exactly who these scammers go after. A real judge will never ask you to pay to get your benefits, and a real hearing notice won’t show up as a WhatsApp invite.”

Warning Signs to Watch For

Hawks Quindel recommends treating any message as suspicious if it:

• Asks you to pay a fee before benefits or a settlement can be released
• Invites you to a hearing over a messaging app or by an unofficial email address
• Pressures you to act right away or threatens you if you don’t
• Asks for bank details, your Social Security number or a verification code
• Comes from someone who says they work for the government but can’t prove who they are

DWD has said the Worker’s Compensation Division sends hearing notices as printed letters through the U.S. Postal Service. Any attorney handling a Wisconsin workers’ compensation case must be licensed in Wisconsin, and real DWD contact information uses Wisconsin area codes.

What to Do If You Get a Suspicious Message

Don’t send money or share financial information. Save copies of the emails, texts or voicemails. If you have a lawyer, call them. You can also check with a DWD workers’ compensation specialist at (608) 266-1340. If you think your identity has been stolen, contact Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.

Injured workers who don’t have a lawyer can contact Hawks Quindel for a free case screening after intake review. The firm takes calls in English and Spanish, and has workers’ compensation information in Spanish on its website.