Advisory Regarding Fraudulent Claims for Unemployment Benefits
This is an important advisory to all employees regarding fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits.
There has been a significant increase in fraud claims since PA rolled out their new benefits system earlier in 2021. The state is aware of the issue and they are working on a solution currently to reduce the number of fraud claims. The state advises that there has not been a data breech, rather fraudsters have been able to obtain personal information from prior data breeches that you have heard about on the news.
This has been an issue in many states around the country and is not unique to Pennsylvania but we are aware that it has impacted some employees who work for the School District of Philadelphia. Our Information Technology (IT) office has reviewed the situation and has confirmed that there has been no data breach of our information.
How do you know if you have been a victim of identity theft for unemployment benefits? You may receive mail to your home or work address that indicates you have filed a claim, when you have not. You may also receive a state-issued 1099-G tax for unemployment benefits that you did not file. As you may not receive the unemployment check to your address, we are also recommending that everyone remain vigilant during this time by checking their credit reports regularly during this time.
As this has already been a stressful time, we wanted to provide you with an overview of what to do in case this happens to you. Please email us at UC-1069@philasd.org to report a concern. We have created a list of detailed steps of what to do if you are the victim of identify theft for unemployment benefits. If you receive an email from our staff asking if you filed an unemployment claims, please respond to us as soon as possible.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF IDENTIFY THEFT FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
Report Online or by Phone:
Online: Complete and submit the Pennsylvania Unemployment Commission’s Identity Theft form to report when someone has filed for unemployment benefits using personal information such as your name, Social Security number, and date of birth without your knowledge or consent.
OR
Phone: Call the PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469 to report the fraud via phone. It would be helpful to review the Identity Theft form above to ensure you have all the information prepared to provide your report.
File a police report with the municipality you resided in at the time the unemployment benefits in question were paid. A copy of the police report must be provided to the Office of Unemployment Compensation.
Report your identity theft to the US Department of Labor is recommending that victims of identity theft through the United States Justice Department. You may also start a recovery plan with the Federal Trade Commission.
If you receive any unemployment payments, checks or debit card:
In your response, include a brief statement as to why you returning the check, money, or bankcard and that you DID NOT file for benefits and that you feel you are a victim of identity theft. You should include their name, address, phone number, and email address if possible.
If you receive unemployment checks to which they are not entitled to, write “void” on the check and mail it to:
Pennsylvania Treasury Department
651 Boas Street
Room 400 L&I Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
If you receive a direct deposit and did not file for UC benefits, you will need to write a personal check, cashier’s check, money order to the “PA UC Fund” and mail that to:
PA Department of Labor and Industry
651 Boas Street, Room 500
Harrisburg, PA 17121
If you receive a US Bank ReliaCard and they did not file for UC benefits, DO NOT activate this card. Mail the card to:
PA Department of Labor and Industry
651 Boas Street
Room 400 L&I Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Steps to take to secure your personal information:
Report the fraud to three Credit Reporting Bureaus: