Where Can I Go For Help
Admittedly, the stakes are now higher when it comes to knowing what decision you want to make.
That is because the Social Security Administration, like many businesses, is running on a reduced capacity in the wake of COVID-19.
The agencys offices are currently closed to the public. And while there is help available by phone, individuals with critical issues are taking a priority.
You can apply online for benefits, and you dont have to go to any office, which is good news, Freitag said. You just have to have the right information about your filing strategy.
The Social Security Administrations website has an abundance of tips on the ins and outs of retirement benefits.
It may also help to use a Social Security calculator to understand how your decision will impact your finances.
Letters In The Mail From The Irs Or The Bank
The bank will often send you a letter in the mail to confirm certain transactions on your account. Similarly, the IRS might send you letters in the mail related to your tax returns or other activities. If you begin to receive letters from the IRS or your bank, you should take them seriously. If you are unaware of the activity mentioned in the letter, it is likely that someone has used your Social Security number fraudulently. You should read the letter thoroughly, as most of the letters will include instructions for what to do if you did not initiate the activity. Follow the instructions in the letter or contact the IRS or your bank if no instructions are included.
Identity Theft And Unemployment Benefits
States have experienced a surge in fraudulent unemployment claims filed by organized crime rings using stolen identities. Criminals are using these stolen identities to fraudulently collect benefits across multiple states.
Because unemployment benefits are taxable income, states issue Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, to recipients and to the IRS to report the amount of taxable compensation received and any withholding. Box 1 on the form shows “Unemployment Compensation.” You should report fraud to the issuing state agency and request a corrected Form 1099-G.
For details on how to report fraud to state workforce agencies, how to obtain a corrected Form 1099-G, a list of state contacts and other steps you should take if you are a victim, see the U.S. Department of Labors DOL.gov/fraud page. Please follow Department of Labor guidance on reporting fraud and protecting yourself from additional scams.
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Contact The Irs And Explain That Youre The Victim Of Identity Theft
Scammers can also use your SSN to file fraudulent taxes or steal your tax return. If you see any signs of tax identity theft, such as having your tax return rejected, contact the Internal Revenue Service immediately.
Hereâs what to do:
- Call the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 or reach them online to learn more about reporting tax fraud using your SSN.
- You may need to file a Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit to prove that youâve been the victim of identity theft. This can be found and filled out online or printed and attached to your tax return.
- For more information, read through the IRSâ Identity Theft Victim assistance guide for taxpayers.
Fraudulent Unemployment Claims: You Could Be Next Heres What To Do
Fraudulent unemployment claims have been on the rise during the pandemic. Scammers received more than $36 billion by fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits last year, with millions of cases of fraud suspected. You could be next.
Fraudulent unemployment claims have been on the rise during the pandemic. Scammers received more than $36 billion by fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits last year, with millions of cases of fraud suspected. State governments recovered some of that money, but the fraudulent claims are a large enough problem that state governments are trying to counteract the scammers methods, and that could affect legitimate claims.
Scammers from all over the world can buy enough information about people online from criminal enterprises that traffic in data obtained through breaches and other sources.
Though slow to act, states began trying to combat fraud in the summer of 2020. The federal government last fall announced $100 million to help states combat fraud and recoup unemployment payments made improperly. Changes adopted by states include fraud detection software and two-factor authentication, which may be of little value if youve never filed for unemployment before and have no contact information, so a new user can create a profile for you. Among the states that have tightened enrollment to combat fraud are Colorado and Washington.
Here is what you should do if a fraudulent unemployment claim is filed in your name:
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Register For Credit Monitoring
Signing up for a credit monitoring service can be a great way to help prevent future fraud on your SSN. These protection services can provide immediate notifications in the event that someone is attempting to use your Social Security number. Some of these services also provide insurance protection, and they will assist in getting fraudulent items removed from your credit report. Registering for credit monitoring can be a great idea even if you have not been the victim of ID theft mainly if you know that your information was part of a data breach. These services can help keep an extra set of eyes on your personal information and can help you catch any suspicious activity as quickly as possible.
Signs Of Unemployment Fraud And Identity Theft
There are various signs that you may see if you are a victim of unemployment fraud. They may include:
- Mail from government agencies about unemployment claims or payment, but you have not recently filed for benefits .
- Unexpected charges associated with unemployment benefits
- Receiving IRS forms that reflect unemployment benefits
- Receiving a notice from your employer about your unemployment claim
- Being denied unemployment when you are eligible due to current claims/payments that you didn’t file
- If you are a victim of identity theft through other methods, you should look into the possibility of unemployment fraud as well.
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Can I Receive Both Unemployment And Social Security
The answer is yes. Generally, unemployment insurance doesnt count Social Security retirement benefits in its income calculations, said Demetra Nightingale, institute fellow at the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. Other sources of income, such as annuities or investment income, also typically dont count.
But whether you qualify for unemployment depends on the rules of your state.
As long as theyre eligible under the state rules then they would qualify, Nightingale said.
Some states previously had Social Security offsets, which meant they would reduce unemployment benefits when someone is also receiving Social Security. But those rules have largely been repealed, according to the National Employment Law Project.
Of note, if you are receiving Social Security disability benefits, it means you are too disabled to work and therefore ineligible for unemployment benefits, said Gary Burtless, senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, a think tank.
Additional Suggestions For Victims Of Id Theft
Victims of identity theft are advised to take the following actions:
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Justice Department Warns On Fake Unemployment Benefit Websites
The Department of Justice recently warned that fraudsters are creating websites mimicking unemployment benefit websites, including state workforce agency websites, for the purpose of unlawfully capturing consumers personal information.To lure consumers to these fake websites, fraudsters send spam text messages and emails purporting to be from an SWA and containing a link. The fake websites are designed to trick consumers into thinking they are applying for unemployment benefits and disclosing personally identifiable information and other sensitive data. That information can then be used by fraudsters to commit identity theft.
Help stop these scams by reporting them and using the list of state contacts at DOL.gov/fraud.
What To Provide When Reporting Fraud
- Provide all relevant information about the issue. Your report will be anonymous unless you include your name and phone number.
- Send any fraudulent documents or mail to EDD PO Box 826880, MIC 43, Sacramento, CA 94280-0225. You can also write Return to Sender on the envelope and provide it to your mail carrier.
- Write Return to sender on the envelope of any mail you receive that does not pertain to you and provide it to your mail carrier.
If you need to provide more information after reporting fraud, contact us again. Include the reference number provided when you first reported the issue.
Note: To ensure the confidentiality and integrity of any investigation, the EDD does not provide status updates unless court-ordered or required by law.
If we find you were a victim of fraud, we will remove the claim from your Social Security number and send you an updated 1099G, if needed. Review IRS tax guidance on benefit identity theft.
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Signs Your Social Security Number Has Been Stolen
In addition to keeping a regular check on things, as mentioned in the previous section, there are a few telltale signs that you can watch for that might signal a stolen Social Security number. If you notice any of these signs, you should take action right away to prevent further damage to your credit file. Here are the signs you should be aware of.
How To Report Fraud
If you receive documents from the EDD but did not file a claim for benefits, someone may have filed a claim under your name, address, or Social Security number. To report benefits fraud, visit Report Fraud in Ask EDD. You can also call the EDD Fraud Hotline at 1-800-229-6297.
Important: If youve received a Form 1099G but you did not file a claim, there is a different process for reporting fraud. Visit Form 1099G in Ask EDD or call 1-866-401-2849, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on state holidays.
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How To Report Id Theft On An Unemployment Claim
If someone filed a claim using your Social Security number , report the ID theft claim on TWCs secure online fraud portal.
Under Type of submission, select:
- Did not file the UI claim
- Did not file the UI claim but now need to
Provide your name, SSN, and contact information. Upload copies of any claim documents you may have received from TWC, along with a copy of your driver license, which TWC uses to verify your identity.
Submit the ID theft report only once. Individuals who report ID theft do not always receive a call, email, or letter in response to the information provided. TWC will only contact you if we need more information.
If your employer received a claim notice from TWC indicating a claim was filed using your SSN and you did not file the claim, tell your employer to respond to the notice and indicate the claim was filed by an imposter.
How Does Unemployment Fraud Happen
âSomeone claimed unemployment in my name.” There were more than 5,000 monthly searches for this phrase on Google in January 2021, at the height of the pandemic.
UI benefits fraud is a common type of identity theft that can happen to anyone who doesnât protect their personal information. This can include information like your Social Security number , phone number, or date of birth.
Scammers can get ahold of your personal information through many methods. Mail theft, phishing emails, marketplaces on the Dark Web, and data breaches are a few examples.
Here are four ways fraudsters can use stolen PII to defraud the governmentâs Unemployment Insurance benefits program.
- Multi-state claimants
- Social Security numbers of âclaimantsâ who are deceased
- Claims made in the names of ineligible federal inmates
- Claimants with suspicious email accounts
Multi-state claimants
Illegitimate multi-state claims are common UI fraud occurrences. Identity thieves can reuse your personal information to make claims in multiple states, getting in the way of bonafide claims.
Often, the thieves arenât even in the country. A Nigerian engineering student estimates he pocketed $50,000from unemployment benefits meant for out-of-work Americans. Scammers like these often congregate on apps like Telegram which peddle how-to advice about identity theft.
Social Security numbers of âclaimantsâ who are deceased
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Report Fraud Or Misconduct
Submit a report if you know someone is claiming unemployment benefits and shouldnt be, or if an ESD employee is engaging is misconduct. Youll be asked to report the persons name and any other information that will help us identify them and the reason you believe theyre involved in committing fraud or misconduct.
If you reported fraud and need information about how to file your 2021 taxes or how to get a corrected 1099-G form, visit our tax information for fraud victims web page.
Information you will need to provide when reporting benefit fraud using our secure form:
Steps you can take if you believe you are a victim of fraud:
- Go to the Federal Trade Commission identity theft website: identitytheft.gov for great resources on reporting.
- Request your free credit reports via annualcreditreport.com and review them for other fraudulent activities.
- Go to atg.wa.gov/recovering-identity-theft-or-fraudfor more tips from the Washington State Attorney General.
- Learn more about identifying scams on the Identifying unemployment scams web page.
You can also report fraud by phone to the Office of Special Investigations
Toll-freeMonday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.800-246-9763
Can Someone File Unemployment Under My Name
If youre asking yourself this question, you are not alone. Thousands of high-profile individuals who thought they would never be a target are, in fact, already going through the long, tedious, and frustrating process of attempting to reverse the damage caused by identity theft. The list includes politicians, celebrities, C-suite executives, philanthropists, and others at high risk for security breaches.
Using sophisticated hacking techniques coupled with old-school strategies such as phishing emails, cyber-criminals and identity thieves are increasing their efforts and improving their success in acquiring the sensitive details and identifying information needed to engage in fake unemployment claims.
Once they have the information they need, fraudsters can simply set up an unemployment account and begin to file a claim. The funds and contact are diverted to the fraudster or a crime ring, and the victim never knows what is happening.
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What Is Identity Theft
Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it for their financial gain. This could include stealing your name, address, social security number, driver’s license information, online account information, etc., and using it to fraudulently do any number of financial activities. They might take over your financial accounts, take out loans or open credit cards in your name, commit medical insurance fraud or file for unemployment in your name.
Identity Theft And Your Irs Tax Return
When you file your federal income tax return, you must report income you received, but you should not report income that you did not receive. When you file your income taxes, only include income you actually received. Do not wait to receive a corrected 1099-G to file your taxes. Once TWC has confirmed an individuals identity has been stolen, TWC will send a corrected report directly to the IRS. Refer to the Identity Theft and Unemployment Benefits page on IRS.gov for updates and additional tax filing information.
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What To Do If You Find Out Someone Filed Fake Unemployment Insurance Under Your Name
The first thing you must do is immediately contact your State Department of Labor. TheDepartment of Labor maintains a list of phone numbers and websites for all 50 states that you can use to report unemployment insurance fraud.
You will also need to contact your employer. Then, as stated above, put a security freeze on your credit file, because unemployment fraud might not be the only fraudulent activity being performed in your name, since you were likely a victim of identity theft.
File a complaint at the National Center for Disaster Fraud or 720-5721.
VisitingIdentityTheft.gov will also enable you to report the fraud to theFTC and provide you with assistance in placing a free, one-year fraud alert on your credit, getting copies of your credit reports, adding credit freezes to your report, and closing any fraudulent accounts that were already opened in your name.
