Unemployment Fraud
In New Mexico
What Should You Do?
If you are having issues with unemployment claims fraud, here are some things you can do:
1) Report to NMDWFS
Suggested Verbiage:
Claimant #: 000000000
Claimant Name: __________
SS # XXX-XX-1234 (last 4 only)
This is a fraudulent claim. Claimant Name has never been an employee* of Company Name. I have searched our records by both name and SS # and have found no records. Please mark this claim as fraudulent.
*or is a current employee (this is common also)
2) When filling out paperwork for a claim that is fraudulent, add "fraud" to each line, or future dates to grab the attention of the processor to call. Can add "I will Hire Back Today." This flags the claim for them to contact you.
3) Some fraudulent claims are for current employees. If that happens, share this sample letter with your employee:
Hello _________,
I need to let you know that we had a fraudulent unemployment claim that you were discharged due to “__________” on 00/00/0000.
What does this mean?
1. Someone put in a SSN (the last 4 match yours and that’s all we can see on the claim)
2. They cannot move forward unless they provide an ID and SS Card with the correct info IN PERSON
3. We were told by NMWDS that unless they provide the documentation it will remain “frozen”
After speaking to NMDWS, they confirmed there is no breach of our account, or information, with the Department of Workforce Solutions. NMDWS stated this is happening to a TON of people (who are currently employed) ALL over the country and usually the IP addresses committing this fraud are from a foreign country. The unemployment payments are usually deposited into the accounts of the imposters, luckily, that’s usually all they get. Sometimes payments get sent to the real person's account, instead. If this happens to you, the imposters may call, text, or email to try to get you to send some or all of the money to them. They may pretend to be your state unemployment agency and say the money was sent by mistake. Do NOT respond if you are contacted, call NMDWS directly. 1-877-664-6984.
What now?
1. Monitor your credit closely for the next year
a. If you don’t have a credit monitoring service, you can visit www.identitytheft.gov to report fraud to FTC and get help with the next steps. This includes:
i. One-year fraud alert on your credit
ii. Getting your free credit reports
iii. Closing any fraudulent accounts that may have been opened in your name
2. Call and report the incident to the social security office
3. It is recommended that you file a police report (the fraudulent claim in your name was created on 00/00/0000). Especially if there is a need to file unemployment in the future.
IF you get any documentation from NMDWS about the claim, I recommend calling. It might reference that the bank account provided didn’t work and they are sending you a debit card. Keep ALL documentation, especially if it has a case number on it. (We would be happy to scan it into your employee file)
Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns,
4) Remember, if your employee was a victim of a fraudulent claim, they will have to pay taxes on the income if they do not take steps to correct the fraud. (see letter above)
5) If you have received your unemployment insurance premium notice and it has increased due to COVID 19 layoffs or terminations, please contact me directly as I am working with a group getting these corrected. You can also just contact the NMDWFS. Your rates should not have increased during COVID shutdowns/restrictions due to BW3 passed in the Special Session last June which included the following language: As outlined in SECTION 11. Section 51-1-11 NMSA 1978 Q which states: The secretary shall omit data for March 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 from calculations of an employing enterprise's experience history, excess claims premiums and excess claims rates. The secretary shall use the 2019 computation date reserve factor from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.