EDD SDI account compromised - someone filed disability in my name for a year!

Oh no, this is serious! You need to take several steps immediately: 1. File an identity theft report with local police 2. Report the fraud to EDD through their online fraud reporting form: https://edd.ca.gov/en/about_edd/fraud 3. Place a freeze on your credit with all three bureaus 4. Contact EDD's fraud hotline at 800-229-6297 (though it's hard to get through) For your legitimate disability claim, you'll need to speak with someone at EDD to explain the situation. They'll have a process for handling this, but it might take time to resolve. Don't worry about being held responsible once you've reported it - just make sure you document everything. I had a similar situation with unemployment (not disability) last year, and while it took about 6 weeks to sort out, I eventually got my legitimate benefits.

same thing happend to me but with regular unemployment!!! took FOREVER to fix and i almost got evicted waiting for my real benefits. EDD is so broken its not even funny anymore

This is unfortunately becoming very common with EDD SDI claims. I work as a disability advocate, and I've seen a significant increase in these cases since late 2023. Here's what you need to know: 1. Document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of the fraudulent claim details from your SDI Online account. 2. You need to file TWO separate reports: one for identity theft with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and another with EDD's fraud department. 3. Your legitimate disability claim will need to be processed manually, which means calling EDD SDI directly. This is where most people get stuck because the phone lines are perpetually jammed. 4. Request a new Benefit Programs Online account entirely - not just a password reset. 5. Ask your doctor to provide another medical certification form (DE 2501) with clear documentation that your disability began 3 weeks ago, not 14 months ago. Don't panic about being held responsible. Once you report the fraud, EDD has protocols to handle these situations. However, be prepared for a possibly lengthy resolution process.

REPORT THIS IMMEDIATELY!!! Don't wait! I had my identity stolen 3 months ago and the thief filed unemployment AND disability claims. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. EDD actually started garnishing my wages because they thought I was working while collecting benefits!!! It was a nightmare that I'm still dealing with. Also check if they filed state tax returns in your name - that happened to me too.

Have you checked if any other benefit systems might be compromised? Sometimes hackers who get into one system try others using the same personal info. Might be worth checking your Social Security account, Medicare (if applicable), and any other government benefit systems you might be registered with. Better safe than sorry!

Just a quick thought - make sure you change your security questions and answers too, not just your password. And use a password manager with unique passwords for every account going forward. These scammers are getting really sophisticated. My sister had almost the exact same thing happen with her SDI account last year.

i had somethin similar happen and i ended up just going in person to an edd office which was WAY better than trying to call. they were able to flag my account and start the process of fixing everything right there. maybe see if theres an office near you?

One more important thing: When you do finally get through to EDD SDI, request a "fraud investigation" specifically, not just a claim review. This puts your case in a different queue with specialists who handle these situations. Also ask them about their "identity verification interview" process - you'll likely need to complete one to move forward with your legitimate claim. Document the name and ID number of every representative you speak with, and get a confirmation number for every call. This paper trail will be crucial if your case drags on.

This is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately becoming way too common! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this on top of your injury. A few additional suggestions based on what I've seen: 1. When you visit the EDD office (great idea from @Amina Diallo), ask them to put a "security flag" on your account that requires in-person verification for any future changes. 2. Contact your bank immediately if you haven't already - sometimes these fraudsters also try to access banking info associated with benefit accounts. 3. Consider filing a complaint with the California State Auditor's office about EDD's security failures. They've been investigating EDD fraud issues and your case could help with their ongoing review. 4. If you have legal insurance through work or auto insurance, check if it covers identity theft - many policies include free legal consultation for these situations. The fact that someone collected $28K in your name for over a year without any verification checks is a massive system failure on EDD's part. You shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get your legitimate benefits while they failed to protect your identity. Keep fighting and don't let them make you feel like this is somehow your fault!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is absolutely terrifying and shows how vulnerable these systems really are. I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share something that might help - my cousin went through something similar with unemployment fraud last year and she found that documenting everything with timestamps was crucial. Beyond what others have mentioned, I'd suggest: 1. Take screenshots of EVERYTHING in your account before EDD makes any changes - you want proof of the fraudulent activity timeline 2. Create a dedicated email folder for all EDD correspondence so nothing gets lost 3. If you have a local assembly member or state senator's office, consider reaching out to them - they sometimes have direct contacts at EDD for constituent services The $28,000 figure is shocking - that's someone's entire year of benefits! I can't imagine how stressful this must be when you're already dealing with a back injury. Sending you strength to get through this bureaucratic nightmare. Please keep us updated on how the in-person visit goes tomorrow!

This is absolutely horrifying and I'm so sorry you're going through this while dealing with a back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm shocked by how common this seems to be based on all the responses here. A few thoughts that might help: 1. Consider setting up Google Alerts for your name + "disability claim" or "EDD" so you get notified if your identity is being used elsewhere online 2. When you go to the EDD office tomorrow, ask them to check if multiple claims have been filed under your SSN across different benefit programs (UI, SDI, PFL) - sometimes fraudsters hit multiple systems 3. Request a written statement from EDD acknowledging the fraudulent claim and confirming your legitimate claim timeline - this could be helpful if you need it for other agencies or legal purposes later The fact that this went undetected for 14 months while you were working full-time really highlights how broken their verification systems are. You'd think there would be automatic cross-checks with employment records! I hope your visit to the EDD office goes well tomorrow and that you can get some real help in person. Please do keep us updated - your experience could really help others who find themselves in this nightmare situation. Wishing you a speedy recovery from your injury and a quick resolution to this fraud mess!

This is such a valuable thread and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare @Ava Martinez! As someone new to this community, I'm honestly shocked by how widespread EDD fraud seems to be based on everyone's responses here. I wanted to add one more suggestion that helped a friend of mine in a similar situation - consider reaching out to your local news stations or consumer advocacy reporters. Many have ongoing investigations into EDD fraud and system failures, and they sometimes have direct contacts at EDD that can expedite cases when there's media attention involved. It shouldn't have to come to that, but unfortunately sometimes public pressure is what finally gets these agencies to act quickly. Also, if you're comfortable sharing, it might be worth asking EDD (when you finally get through to someone) HOW the fraudster gained access to your account initially. Was it through credential stuffing, a data breach, social engineering, etc.? Understanding the attack vector could help you and others better protect yourselves going forward. The fact that you've already gotten so much helpful advice here shows what an amazing community this is. I hope your in-person visit goes well and that you can finally get the legitimate benefits you need while recovering from your injury. Please keep us all posted!

This is absolutely horrifying and I'm so sorry you're going through this on top of dealing with a back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm really alarmed by how many similar cases people are sharing here - it seems like EDD's security systems have some serious vulnerabilities. A couple additional thoughts that might help: 1. When you visit the EDD office tomorrow, consider asking for a supervisor or fraud specialist specifically - sometimes the front desk staff don't have access to all the tools needed for complex fraud cases 2. You might want to contact your employer's HR department to give them a heads up about the situation, just in case EDD tries to verify your employment status during their investigation 3. Keep a detailed timeline of when you were actually working vs when the fraudulent benefits were being paid - this could be crucial evidence that the claims were bogus The fact that someone collected nearly $28,000 in your name for over a year while you were working full-time is a massive red flag about EDD's verification processes. You shouldn't have to become a fraud detective just to get your legitimate benefits! I really hope the in-person visit goes well tomorrow and that you can finally get some real help. This community seems incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, so please keep us updated on your progress. Sending you positive thoughts for both your recovery and getting this mess sorted out!

This is absolutely devastating and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare while trying to recover from your back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm honestly shocked by how many people have shared similar experiences - it really shows there are serious systemic issues with EDD's security. A few additional thoughts that might help as you prepare for your office visit: 1. Bring a printed timeline showing your actual employment dates vs. the fraudulent benefit period - visual documentation can be really powerful 2. Ask if they can place an immediate "fraud alert" on your SSN in their system to prevent any future unauthorized claims 3. Request the reference number for the fraudulent case so you can track its investigation separately from your legitimate claim It's infuriating that someone was able to steal nearly $28,000 in benefits using your identity for over a year without any red flags being raised. The fact that you were actively working and paying into the system during this time should have been an obvious indicator that something was wrong. I really hope your in-person visit tomorrow gets you the help you need and deserve. This community has provided such incredible support and practical advice - it's clear you're much better prepared now than when you first discovered this fraud. Please keep us updated on your progress, and I'm sending positive thoughts for both resolving this mess quickly and for your recovery from your injury!

This is absolutely terrible and I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare while dealing with your back injury! As a newcomer to this community, I'm honestly appalled by how common these EDD fraud cases seem to be based on all the responses here. I wanted to add one more suggestion that might help - when you go to the EDD office tomorrow, consider asking them to provide you with a written statement that includes: 1. Acknowledgment that fraud occurred on your account 2. The specific dates the fraudulent benefits were paid 3. Confirmation that you were employed during that period 4. A case number for the fraud investigation Having this documentation in writing could be crucial if you need to provide proof to other agencies, your employer, or if any tax issues arise later. Also, ask them about their process for recovering the fraudulent payments - while it's not your responsibility to pay it back, understanding their recovery process might give you insight into how thorough their investigation will be. The fact that nearly $28,000 was paid out in your name for 14 months while you were actively working shows a massive failure in their verification systems. You shouldn't have to fight this hard just to access benefits you legitimately need and have earned. Everyone here has given you such amazing advice - you're going to be so well-prepared for tomorrow! Please keep us updated on how it goes. Wishing you strength in dealing with this bureaucratic mess and a speedy recovery from your injury!