Multiple Federal agencies are investigating numerous fraud schemes targeting the unemployment insurance (UI) programs across the United States. Fraudsters, some of which are transnational criminal organizations, are using the stolen identities of U.S. citizens to open accounts and file fraudulent claims for benefits, exploiting the unprecedented expansion of the benefits provided in response to economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Many victims of this crime have no knowledge that criminals have applied for UI benefits in their name. You may only discover that you were a victim of this crime upon seeing the following red flags:
- You are told by a current or former employer that a UI claim has been submitted with your information;
- You did not apply for UI benefits, but you receive a determination letter from your state or another state regarding a UI claim filed under your name;
- You receive a notification that you failed the security verification process for your UI claim;
- You file a lawful UI claim and you receive a notice that your claim was rejected because the state has already received a claim under your name.
The District Human Resource department is taking immediate steps to address suspected fraudulent claims. These include:
- Contacting current employees to verify if the employee filed a UI claim.
- Immediately notifying the state agency of confirmed fraud claims.
- Providing impacted employees steps to follow to report fraud.
For more information or if you believe you may be impacted, please visit the following websites for information on reporting fraud and protecting your credit.
Utah Attorney General (https://www.identitytheft.gov/UnemploymentInsurance)
“Unemployment Insurance Fraud Consumer Protection Guide” (https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/Unemployment%20Insurance%20Fraud%20Consumer%20Protection%20Guide,%20Final.pdf)
Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor (https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/media/DOL-OIG%20UI%20Fraud%20Alert.pdf)