The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimated that fraudulent unemployment benefits claims during the COVID-19 pandemic years costed the government an estimated $100 to $135 billion. Unemployment benefit fraud is a form of identity theft and continues to be a very serious problem today.
If you suspect that someone has used your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent unemployment claim, here’s what you should do:
1. Report to Your State Unemployment Agency:
Contact the unemployment office in your state to report the fraud.
They may ask for documentation to prove your identity and verify that you did not file the claim.
Keep records of all communications and confirmations.
2. Report Identity Theft:
Visit the government website to file a report here.
Follow the recommended steps to protect your identity, such as placing a fraud alert on your credit report.
3. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA):
Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to report misuse of your SSN.
You may also want to create a “my Social Security” account to monitor your earnings and ensure no discrepancies.
4. File a Police Report:
Report the identity theft to your local police department to have it on record.
5. Monitor Your Credit:
Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with one of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).
Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
6. Notify Your Employer:
Inform your employer that your SSN was compromised to ensure that your work records are not affected.
7. Create a recovery plan:
You can start by submitting your information to Identity Theft Recovery Center here.
