UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD – U.S. Department of Labor Launches New Website

Unemployment fraud has become a major problem for the Washington State Employment Security Department and workers in Washington State as well as state labor departments and workers in states throughout the U.S. In response to this problem, the U.S. Department of Labor recently launched a new web site to help victims to report and recover from unemployment fraud and the associated potential of identity theft.

The website, www.dol.gov/fraud, gives guidance on how to detect that you have become a victim of unemployment fraud and links to state unemployment offices to report the fraud.

Fraudsters make unemployment claims using the personal information of other people that unemployment offices will have on file, then direct payments to accounts in the control of the fraudsters.

Victims frequently find out that their personal information has been used in the fraud if they receive mail from a state unemployment agency about a claim or payment in their name, they receive a 1099-G tax form listing unemployment benefits in their name, or while they are employed, they received a notice from their employer. The fraud usually goes hand in hand with identity theft. The Department of Labor points out that you should report unemployment identity theft to the state where it occurred. Last year, the Washington State Employment Security Department received publicity about fraudulent unemployment claims. It is conceivable, however, that an individual in Washington State could have a fraudulent unemployment claim made in another state.

The following links have resources from the Department of Labor and the Washington State Employment Security Department,

 

U.S. Department of Labor:

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20210322-0

Report Unemployment Identity Theft- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/UIIDtheft

Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/unemployment-insurance-payment-accuracy/UIFraudReporting

 

Washington State Employment Security Department:

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

Tax info for fraud victims- https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/fraud-victims-taxes

 

South Snohomish County Crime Watch:

Here is a checklist of things to do if you are an unemployment fraud or unemployment identity theft victim- https://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2020/05/covid-19-identity-theft-what-to-do-if.html