Beware of outside websites claiming they want to help you file for unemployment benefits.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation's unemployment insurance division warns these sites can collect personal information about you and possibly leave you open to identity theft. The state named one of the sites, Unemployment Help Center, in a press release.

The only way to apply for unemployment benefits, the state says, is directly through the state’s unemployment insurance division’s website or by calling its office at 410-949-0022 or 800-827-4839.

“Those Marylanders who think they have filed a claim with an independent organization should contact our office and take the appropriate precautions to guard against identity theft," said Julie Ellen Squire, the assistant secretary for unemployment insurance, in a prepared statement.

The division also suggests these consumers have their computers cleaned for malware and sign up for a credit monitoring service.

The unemployment division has contacted the state’s consumer protection division about Unemployment Help Center and might pursue legal action.

The Unemployment Help Center site, which says it's not affiliated with the U.S. government, asks about your employment, what sort of benefits you are looking for and for your name and email address. 

It says: “After you have finished, your answers will be reviewed and we will contact you with current and future resources. When you are inside our site, you will have access to links for unemployment benefits, unemployment information, private resources and links to state programs.”

I sent a message to the Help Center about the state’s serious charges. I’ll post its response if I hear back.