Buzz
Scammers are taking advantage of the pandemic unemployment assistance programs in places like Massachusetts, Washington, and possibly even in your area by using your personal details to exploit the system.
In Boston, a recent scam was uncovered where people received both emails and physical letters about unemployment claims they had never made. The troubling part? These individuals had never filed for benefits.
In Massachusetts, individuals with legitimate unemployment claims might be asked for extra details to verify their identity, which could cause delays in receiving payments. If you’ve heard about the struggles some are facing to access their authentic unemployment claims, it’s easy to see why these fraudulent attempts are frustrating for everyone involved.
If you get a notice about unemployment benefits that you didn’t apply for, it’s crucial to contact your state’s unemployment office immediately. Massachusetts has an online form to report unemployment fraud, but if your state hasn’t seen a spike in fraudulent claims, they may not have a dedicated system for handling this type of scam. Be prepared for long wait times when contacting them by phone or live chat.
However, don’t just stop with notifying your state: If someone has enough of your personal information to file an unemployment claim in your name, they likely have enough details to wreak havoc on the rest of your financial situation.
The personal information used to submit these fraudulent claims is reportedly sourced from previous national data breaches, according to the Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The Boston Globe notes that one fraudulent application contained accurate details such as the victim’s full name, address, phone number, Social Security number, date of birth, and even their estimated salary.
You should also file a complaint with your state’s attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission. While it’s unlikely these agencies will reach out to you directly, don’t be discouraged—the more information provided by the public, the easier it will be for the FTC and state authorities to track down scammers and take legal action.
But there’s more to do: You must check your credit report to see if your financial information has been compromised beyond this false unemployment claim. You can access your free credit report once a week from each credit bureau during the pandemic. While you’re at it, remember to freeze your credit to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free, but you’ll need to make separate requests with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, visit www.identitytheft.gov. It will create a personalized step-by-step plan based on your situation to guide you through recovering from financial fraud.
