Action 9 has uncovered a child support scam that targets parents who use a state sponsored debit card to collect their payments. One local woman's account was cleaned out and there are many more victims.

The debit card was supposed to make it easier for Alicia Spina to collect monthly child support from her 5 year old son's father. Instead, the state sponsored program exposed Alicia and other parents to a new phishing scheme.

“I was scammed,” said Spina.

Alicia had received an e-mail, about a problem with her child support debit card and she was linked to an official looking website to verify the account.

“I'm not suspicious until the next day when I go to the ATM to pull out some money, and there's no money there,” said Spina.

It turned out scammers in Chicago were behind the fake website who stole more than 600 dollars in child support.

The Florida Department of Revenue that oversees the debit card has received more complaints and there are victims in other states that have contracts with the same company.

Affiliated Computer Services in Texas offers the cards. That's where Alicia sent her dispute for the missing $600.00 thinking she was protected against fraud. That was two months ago.

“I followed every procedure, every timeline diligently, but still don't have my money back,” said Spina.

A company spokesman told Action 9 a phishing warning is now posted on its website and some victims won disputes and refunds.

It's now reviewing Alicia's case. Since our phone call, so is the state.

“They should insure if something likes this happens you're reimbursed promptly,” said Spina.

The company would not say why it refunded some victims but denied claims to others. Federal authorities are also investigating.