Scam Alert: Impersonators Targeting Workers’ Compensation Claimants

The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has been made aware of a scam targeting workers in other states. Individuals are falsely claiming to represent their equivalent of our Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims.

In these scams, workers are contacted by phone, email, text message, or video call and told they must pay money to receive workers’ compensation benefits or to settle their claims. The scammers may falsely identify themselves as a judge, attorney, state employee, or other government representative. Some communications may appear official.

What You Should Know

• You should never be asked to pay money to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
  • Under Tennessee law, employers are responsible for furnishing reasonable and necessary medical treatment for compensable injuries.
• The Bureau does not charge workers to receive benefits or to settle claims.
  • The Bureau’s role includes assisting with claims, mediation, and dispute resolution.
• The Bureau will never request payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or similar methods.
• Official communications will not pressure you to act immediately or threaten loss of benefits for failure to pay fees.

If you receive a message that does not feel right, do not send money or personal information. Verify before you act.

Known Scam Tactics

The following examples are red flags of a scam.

1. Unexpected Call from an Out-of-State “Attorney”. A caller claims to be an attorney, says you won your hearing, and asks you to send money—often to another state.
2. Fake Email Addresses and Spoofed Documents.  Scammers may send emails or documents that appear official but do not come from a legitimate @tn.gov address. For example, emails from domains like notification@workcompcourt.org are not associated with the State of Tennessee. If a supposed court clerk and an “attorney” are using the same unfamiliar email domain, that’s a major red flag.
3. Fake “Hearing Request and Affidavit Received” Emails. Scammers may send emails with subject lines like “Confirmation of Filing and Pending Scheduling” to make it appear that an official filing has been submitted in your case. These messages will include fake case numbers and hearing confirmations that do not match the official court documents despite appearing like they came from the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims.
4. Incorrect Judge Name. Scammers are using the name of a non-Tennessee judge on a fake “Notice of Status Hearing” documents. If you receive a Tennessee workers’ compensation document listing a judge who is not on our official roster (linked midway down this page), the communication is fraudulent.
5. Fake Payment Authorization Form. Scammers may send a “Workers’ Compensation Payment Authorization Form” asking for your mailing or banking information. The State of Tennessee does not require your bank account information, and workers’ compensation benefits are paid by the insurance carrier—not the state—so any “state form” requesting routing or account numbers is a red flag. Do not complete or return the form—verify directly using official tn.gov contact information.

 How to Verify a Claim or Communication

If you have questions about a workers’ compensation claim or want to confirm whether a communication is legitimate:

• Visit the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation website: tn.gov/workerscomp
• Contact the Bureau directly through the contact information listed on our official website. Email addresses can be spoofed. If you receive a suspicious message, do not reply. Start a new email or call using the official contact information listed on our website.

Early verification can help protect you and others.

Report Suspected Scams

Reporting suspected scams helps prevent others from becoming victims.

If you believe a scammer has contacted you:

• Report the incident to local law enforcement.
  
• File a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.
• Preserve emails, voicemails, text messages, and payment requests as evidence.

Questions? Visit one of our offices in-person to verify or email us at wc.info@tn.gov.