Educate Your Employees About Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Date: July 27, 2020

Nevada Attorney General, U.S. Attorney issue precautions

With states’ unemployment insurance trust funds squeezed as never before, it’s only to be expected that some people will try to scam the system in hope of avoiding detection.

If you think an identity thief is using your Social Security number, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271. Individuals who believe that someone is fraudulently using their identity to apply for unemployment benefits should file a complaint through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) here and to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation Fraud Report here.

Unemployment insurance fraud is on the rise in Nevada. According to a news release issued by Attorney General Aaron Ford, “Nevada’s COVID-19 Task Force, formed by Attorney General Aaron D. Ford and U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich, has recently received reports suggesting that personal identifying information of some present and past Nevada residents is being used to file fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits.

“Potential victims typically learn of these suspected unlawful activities when either they receive a letter from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) relating to an application for benefits they never sought, and/or their employer receives a similar notification from DETR.”

To help combat the fraud, the task force recommends:

  • Never give out personal or financial information over the phone.
  • Thoroughly review all financial statements for any unusual activity. Immediately contact the company if an item looks suspicious.
  • Shred or destroy credit card statements, bills, insurance papers or bank statements before throwing them out.
  • Do not carry your Social Security Card in your wallet.
  • Be wary of anyone calling to “confirm” personal or financial information. Often, these are criminals trying to obtain those facts under the guise of “confirmation”.
  • Release your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary or when required by law.
  • Ask how you can remove unnecessary information or information that is not required for the service you are receiving.
  • Check credit reports, banking information, medical information that may have details that need to be removed or secured.
  • Do not provide or validate your personal information from contacts not initiated by you.
  • Protect and update passwords to your online accounts regularly.
  • When creating passwords and PINS, do not use anything that could be discovered easily by thieves.
  • Memorize all your passwords and PINS. 
  • Remove old accounts and passwords that are no longer in use. 
  • Use additional security measures provided for your accounts wherever available.
  • Contact your local police department if you think your identity has been stolen.
  • If you think an identity thief is using your Social Security number, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271. 

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