COVID-19 UNEMPLOYMENT SCAMS- Watch for Fake ESD Web Sites

The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) reports on its Facebook page that it is receiving reports of fraudsters setting up fake web sites impersonating the ESD web site.

Fraudsters set up fake web sites to harvest personal information from unsuspecting victims. Mimicking the ESD web site is a perfect tactic during this time of the COVID-19 and the associated economic downturn. With the overload of the ESD phone number and web site, it is easy for a fraudster to get some personal information from people looking for the real ESD web site.

The fact that fraudsters are setting up a fake ESD web site shows that they are using a multi-pronged approached to take your money and your identity. Faking the web site is on top of filing for unemployment payments in other people’s names and shows that they will use as many techniques as they can to take advantage of COVID-19.

ESD says that it will never ask for your personal information, such as your Social Security number, outside of its own, secure web site. It recommends that you check the URL before entering any information. The URL for the ESD eServices site is

                      https://secure.esd.wa.gov/home/

Also, if you think that you have become a victim of unemployment fraud go to,

                      https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployment-benefits-fraud

Washington State Employment Security Department:

https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonESD/photos/a.198714200253072/1938843506240124/?type=3&theater.

KING TV:

https://www.king5.com/article/money/your-money-your-future/unemployment-fraud-on-the-rise/281-e988f645-b08c-40a8-ae92-39e419f3c231