Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) reports they recently stopped an estimated 10,000 fraudulent benefits filings over a three-day period. Officials report that using the agency’s “robust anti-fraud tools,” UIA stopped the fraudsters and no money was paid out to them.
According to the department, the spike capped an eight-day stretch in late July of an elevated number of attempts to create unemployment benefit claims. Criminals use stolen personal information from Michiganders and others across the country to try to create claims in numerous states for benefits they don’t deserve. In Michigan, UIA’s proprietary anti-fraud software and use of national databases to verify claimant identities stop criminals from successfully filing claims.
“Anyone thinking about committing fraud to try and illegally obtain unemployment benefits should take this as a warning,” said UIA Director Julia Dale. “Stopping crime and strengthening the integrity of the unemployment system is UIA’s top priority. Our team spotted the large number of attempts right away and put a stop to any further action on these false claims. Thieves should know Michigan is not a state where you will get away with stealing from deserving citizens, but one where you will be caught and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Michiganders whose stolen identities were used to file the bogus claims or employers falsely listed as an applicant’s place of work may receive a notice of a fraudulent claim in the mail from the UIA.
What claimants and residents need to know
Michiganders should be vigilant about any suspicious activity involving their personal identifying information. When a jobless claim is identified as fraudulent, no payment is made and the UIA will send a letter by U.S. mail to the address on file to confirm identity or other key information.
If you receive notification from the UIA about a claim made using your name but you have not filed one, report the fraudulent activity right away following these steps:
Go to Michigan.gov/UIA.
In the Services section, under Unemployment Benefits, click on the Report Fraud or Identity Theft link.
On the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) screen, click on Report Identity Theft. On the next screen, click on Individual.
Fill out the online form and also complete a Statement of Identity Theft. Submit both online.
What employers need to know
Employers may report fraudulent claims to the UIA through MiWAM by clicking on either the Report Fraud or Report Identity Theft links. A second option is to fill out an Employer Report of Identity Theft and submit it electronically.
Be sure to review any monetary determinations from the UIA, which note when the agency cannot confirm a claimant’s identity. A timely response helps to quickly resolve identity theft cases.
If the claim is determined to be fraudulent following a detailed investigation, a second letter will be sent by mail that will state the filed claim is null and void.
Employers may also call the Office of Employer Ombudsman at 1-855-484-2636 with questions.
