DenverGP
10-30-2020, 11:00
A paraphrased email just sent out by one of my company VPs...
As if the pandemic has not disrupted our lives enough, it appears that bad actors are using the high unemployment levels as an opportunity for fraud. There has been widespread reporting of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims being filed in people?s names. Link here: https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-sees-spike-in-fraudulent-unemployment-insurance-claims-filed-using-stolen-identities for a Press Release from the FBI describing the issue.
And, this isn?t just anecdotal, we?ve had several within my relatively small company (100 employees) impacted already. We all need to be aware that this is happening, and to react quickly once the fraud is identified. The link above has some advice about how to know that you?ve been targeted and what to do once you know.
There are several ways you may become aware of unemployment insurance identity theft. You or your employer may receive a notification that a claim for benefits has been filed when you have not separated from employment. You may receive an unusual phone call related to your employment. Or, in some cases, you may actually receive a debit card in the mail.
If you have any reason to suspect that you have been targeted, please take action immediately! You should contact your state employment agency and your HR department right away. You may also want to file a police report and contact LifeLock or similar identity protection services if you have them. Please refer to your state employment agencies website for further steps (click here https://www.dol.gov/general/maps/fraud for links and phone numbers for each state.
As if the pandemic has not disrupted our lives enough, it appears that bad actors are using the high unemployment levels as an opportunity for fraud. There has been widespread reporting of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims being filed in people?s names. Link here: https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-sees-spike-in-fraudulent-unemployment-insurance-claims-filed-using-stolen-identities for a Press Release from the FBI describing the issue.
And, this isn?t just anecdotal, we?ve had several within my relatively small company (100 employees) impacted already. We all need to be aware that this is happening, and to react quickly once the fraud is identified. The link above has some advice about how to know that you?ve been targeted and what to do once you know.
There are several ways you may become aware of unemployment insurance identity theft. You or your employer may receive a notification that a claim for benefits has been filed when you have not separated from employment. You may receive an unusual phone call related to your employment. Or, in some cases, you may actually receive a debit card in the mail.
If you have any reason to suspect that you have been targeted, please take action immediately! You should contact your state employment agency and your HR department right away. You may also want to file a police report and contact LifeLock or similar identity protection services if you have them. Please refer to your state employment agencies website for further steps (click here https://www.dol.gov/general/maps/fraud for links and phone numbers for each state.