Scams and Alerts

To find out if a child support collection company is registered as a Private Child Support Collector in Georgia, visit the Secretary of State’s website. 

If you have been victimized by this company, please contact the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs at 1.800.869.1123 or 404.651.8600.

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) along with the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) would like to alert the public that child support collection companies have been known to engage in fraudulent practices such as direct contact with noncustodial parents to set up child support payments. Once contacted, consumers believe that they are in contact with the official State of Georgia, Division of Child Support Services when in fact they are being contacted by a company that has no affiliation with this office. Allegedly, once those payments are made, the company pockets the money and the custodial parent does not receive payments.

It is important that the public is made aware of these types of scams since DCSS is the only official state child support collection agency in Georgia. No private companies are authorized to collect funds on our behalf. We take this type of fraudulent activity very seriously and we will ensure that all reported fraudulent collection activities are properly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest letter of the law. Private Child Support Collectors are separate entities and must register with the Georgia Secretary of State to provide services in Georgia. 
 

Way2Go Card Unauthorized Changes Alert

DCSS has been made aware that some customers' addresses and payment methods have been changed without their knowledge or consent in the Way2Go vendor’s database. Impacted customers have experienced one or more of the following:

  • Cancellation of debit cards in their possession
  • Replacement debit cards mailed to out-of-state addresses
  • Child support payments redirected to unauthorized bank accounts or re-loadable debit cards (e.g., Green Dot)
  • Inability to create Way2Go online accounts because unauthorized accounts exist
  • Unknown email addresses on Way2Go accounts.

DCSS encourages all customers who receive child support payments to take the following actions:

  • Visit the nearest child support office with a valid picture ID and a voided check, savings account deposit slip, or other financial institution printout to enroll in direct deposit (if preferred).
  • Enroll in direct deposit and receive important case notifications and alerts by downloading the DCSS On the Go mobile app:
  • Register on the Customer Online Services Portal to obtain information about your case and activate case alerts.
  • Only update your address on the DCSS Customer Online Services Portal, DCSS On the Go mobile app, or by calling the DCSS Communications Center at 1-877-GADHSGO (1-877-423-4746).
  • Contact the Way2Go vendor to ask about security options to freeze or delete unauthorized accounts. 

If you believe your card account has been compromised, please call Way2Go at 1-800-656-1347 and advise the customer service rep once your call has been connected. Fraud Questionnaires are available to request an investigation.

Way2Go will never request your information, such as your social security number, card number, or PIN through email. Please do not respond to email requests for this information. Additionally, DCSS does not engage with customers on social media platforms or online blogs. Being informed is your best defense. Please see the Way2Go Card Tips for ways to protect your card information.