The Unemployment Claim Scam
URGENT WARNING
I'm retired - why are you sending me something about unemployment?
Because the scammers are using your personal identity to claim unemployment benefits and you will get the tax bill .
Unemployment Claims Scam
Across the country, consumers are being warned that fraud is on the rise relating to jobless claims. The U.S. Secret Service has already spotted trouble in Florida, Washington, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

"It is extremely likely every state is vulnerable to this scheme and will be targeted if they have not been already," according to the Secret Service alert issued May 14. 

Some data being used might belong to anyone, whether they’re jobless or not. Retirees, for example, report receiving unemployment forms to verify their identity from the state when they didn't try to make any claims recently. 

The online con artists claim to be gig workers or self-employed workers in some cases to steal money from the unemployment system. 

Unemployment benefits have become particularly lucrative for thieves during the coronavirus crisis. An extra $600 in benefits may be added on top of state jobless benefits because of the COVID-19.

The crooks already have plenty of stolen personal information, including Social Security numbers, after several major hacking incidents during the past few years - thank you Experian!!!!

What do I do first?
You should set-up an account in New York for Unemployment, even if you never intend to use it. This protects you from anyone else claiming unemployment benefits in your name.

In your browser go to NY.gov ID < click that, and establish an online account if you never collected unemployment before. If you already have an NY.Gov ID, then log in and see if there are any current benefits.

You may have been breached if you cannot establish an account. If this is the case then you should call the Claimant Fraud hotline: 1-866-435-1499

Setting up your Account: Note >
  • This account does not initially use your Social Security Number but a unique Username and Password to establish an account.
  • This account must be established with your own, not a shared, email address.
  • Be careful entering your first and last names, as they cannot be changed.

NOTE: New York has different accounts
for personal taxes and unemployment.

This account is only for unemployment.
What else?
You may receive a letter or email asking you to verify if your unemployment claim is legitimate. First, do NOT click on the link in the email, but go to your browser and search for the unemployment department of your state.

Call the appropriate state fraud hotline if fraud is suspected. Remember that if you are a snow bird then you may have claims filed in more than one state.

New York information for Claimant Fraud: 1-866-435-1499
You said I'd be paying taxes ....
Unemployment benefits are taxable income - subject to local, state and federal taxes.

So when the scammers file for benefits using your identification, you get the tax bill - ouch!
Washington State was hit the hardest.
Washington State said they have “zeroed in” on stopping the increase in fraudulent claims seen in recent weeks.

Earlier this week, the King County Sheriff’s Office said it had nearly 1,700 victims of unemployment fraud file police reports online in a five-day period. Victims don’t know they’ve been targeted until they get a letter in the mail.

The Secret Service is investigating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme led by an organization with ties to Nigeria targeting the unemployment security system.

Yes, file a police report if you have been a subject of fraud!!
Last, but not least ..... Freeze Your Credit
Best practice > invoke a credit freeze regardless if you have or have not been breached. It is good pro-active protection. You can always release a freeze when you need to have your finances verified.

Use a separate password and pin for each agency and NEVER lose them!

A Credit Freeze prevents anyone else from opening an account in your name without you being contacted. You must contact each agency separately to invoke a credit freeze: Equifax, TransUnion, Experian, Innovis.
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