OESC Text Scam

Oklahoma Employment Security Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General E. Scott Pruitt and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission issued a warning today on a text phishing scam aimed at unemployed Oklahomans.

“Our job is to protect Oklahoma consumers from fraud and phishing scams, which are often used to gain personal information for identity theft,” Pruitt warned. “Oklahomans should never give out personal information in response to an e-mail or text. Authentic companies, banks and government agencies will never ask for personal information through text message.”

“Phishing” is the fraudulent attempt by con-artists to obtain personally identifiable information from the public by sending millions of e-mails or text messages randomly to anyone with an electronic account. These e-mails appear to be from a company or government agency, and are designed to look authentic, right down to the company or government logo.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission has received reports about texts that ask consumers to call a telephone number for assistance with unemployment paperwork. When consumers call the number, they are asked to enter their unemployment debit card number before being transferred.

“The OESC does not use text messages to reach consumers,” said Richard McPherson, executive director of the commission. “If you receive such a text, please do not call the number. Instead, report the text to the commission.”

To report a text, consumers can call the OESC at (888) 980-9675 or the Attorney General’s Public Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029. To file a complaint online, go to www.oag.ok.gov.

OESC is a major partner in Workforce Oklahoma. Workforce Oklahoma centers are located across the state and provide a variety of services for free. In-person help with unemployment claims also is available at no cost to customers.

The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the complaints received by OESC for criminal or civil action, but in the meantime, Pruitt wants consumers to be cautious.

“Consumers should always be wary of providing their personal and financial data to unknown entities unless they initiate the call,” Pruitt said.

To find the nearest Workforce Oklahoma center, call toll-free (888) 980-9675. To file an unemployment claim through OESC, call (405) 525-1500 in the Oklahoma City area or (800) 555-1554 for all other areas. Claims also can be filed online at www.unemployment.ok.gov.

H1N1 Flu Case Confirmed On AAFB

Jackson County Health Department officials in coordination with Altus Air Force Base officials announced today that a case of 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu) virus has been confirmed in Jackson County.

The patient is an adult female who did not require hospitalization.

“Jackson County residents should not be alarmed,” said County Health Department Administrator Keith Reed. “Altus Air Force Base and our health department have been monitoring this case to limit exposure to others while confirmatory tests were pending. Base officials along with our staff have been interviewing individuals who have been in contact with the patient to determine if they should be tested also,” Reed added.




The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to seasonal influenza and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

“The virus is spread person-to-person, not by eating pork or pork products,”

Reed said. “There is no vaccine to prevent this new flu and the current flu vaccine used to prevent seasonal influenza will not provide protection against this new flu strain.”

Jackson County residents and personnel on Altus Air Force Base who experience flu-like symptoms should contact their physician. Some antiviral drugs may be used to treat persons at high risk of complications from the disease.

Health officials caution that aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever. Instead, use medications such as acetaminophen to relieve fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. The use of aspirin in children has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal disease in children, causing harmful effects to many organs, including the brain and liver.

The Jackson County Health Department reminds the public to continue to practice these recommendations to prevent the spread of influenza:

• Wash hands often to protect yourself from germs.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated object and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or “sneeze in your sleeve.”

• If you are sick, stay home from work, school, church, and running errands. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Persons with questions about H1N1 influenza may call the Jackson County Health Department at 580-482-7308 or the Oklahoma State Department of Health H1N1 influenza toll-free hotline at 1-866-278-7134, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during regular business hours.

Additional information on H1N1 influenza is available by visiting www.health.ok.gov or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NOTE: The Airman in question, was reported to have been seen at the Altus Air Force Base Clinic, the morning of the 15th., and yet this news was just now being reported?


Your Altus Mystery Shopper...