Scam Alert: Out-Of-The-Blue Unemployment Claim? It's Probably Fraud

• A notification from an unemployment office “confirming” the date of their last day of work – even though they are still employed.
• A letter from the state unemployment office or department of labor informing them that their unemployment benefits were denied – even though they made no such claim.
• Their employer is notified that they filed for unemployment benefits, even though they still work for the company.
• They receive a 1099 tax form reporting 2020 income from unemployment benefits that they never applied for or received.

How To Protect Yourself

• Haven’t applied for unemployment? Report suspicious notifications. If you receive a letter, email, or any other notification about an unemployment claim that you never made, be sure to report it. Check this list from the Department of Labor for your state’s contact number. 
• Check your credit report. An unemployment claim in your name means that scammers have your personal information. Be sure to check your credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com for unauthorized inquiries and accounts. This is the only free crediting reporting service authorized by the Federal Trade Commission.
• Consider freezing your credit. This keeps anyone from seeing your credit report without proof of identity. Contact the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to do this. 
• Set up transaction alerts with your bank or credit union. This ensures notification of any withdrawal above a dollar amount which you determine.

Additional Information