EDD closed my account for 'fraud' but sent me a check instead of explanation - anyone else?
I'm so confused about what's happening with my unemployment claim. Last week I logged into UI Online to certify and got a message saying my account was flagged for potential fraud and temporarily closed. I called EDD about 28 times over three days but couldn't get through. Then yesterday I received a paper check in the mail for $1,870 (my last three weeks of benefits) with ZERO explanation about the fraud flag or why my account is closed! Has anyone experienced something similar? I'm worried about depositing the check - is this some kind of trap? And how am I supposed to certify for future weeks if my account is locked? The worst part is I have NO IDEA what triggered the fraud alert in the first place!
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Natasha Volkov
omg the EXACT same thing happened to my roommate!! her account got locked for 'fraud investigation' but then they sent her a check too. she was scared to cash it but eventually did and the money was fine. she said she called like a million times before finally getting through to someone who told her it was because her IP address changed when she certified from her parents' house instead of her apartment. apparently thats enough to trigger a fraud alert now 🙄
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Oliver Schmidt
•That's wild! I did certify from a different device last time (used my phone instead of laptop). Did your roommate's online account eventually get unlocked? I'm worried about future certifications. Did she have to do anything special to get it fixed?
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Javier Torres
the edd system is BROKEN!!!! they've been pulling this trick ever since the pandemic. lock ur account with no notice, no explanation, then pay u anyway so u cant complain about not getting paid. its all about their metrics looking good while they make us SUFFER!!!! i had 3 fraud flags in 6 months and NEVER GOT A SINGLE EXPLANATION!!!
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Emma Wilson
•While I understand your frustration, this isn't exactly accurate. EDD's system flags accounts automatically when certain security parameters are triggered, but the payment processing system often operates separately. That's why you might see a payment issued while your account is still under review. It's not a "trick" - it's just different departments not communicating well. The best approach is to call and speak directly to a claims specialist who can see notes on your account.
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QuantumLeap
I've seen this several times when helping people with their claims. What's happening is that their automated fraud detection system has flagged something, but your eligibility for those weeks has already been verified, so they issued payment via check instead of your regular payment method. You can definitely deposit the check - it's legitimate. The bigger issue is getting your account unlocked for future certifications. You'll need to speak with an EDD representative to clear the fraud flag. It could be something simple like logging in from a new device/location, using a VPN, or having similar personal info to another claimant (happens more than you'd think). You need to call right when they open at 8:00 AM. Focus on getting to a tier 2 specialist who has access to the fraud department notes.
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Oliver Schmidt
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I've been trying to call at 8am but I keep getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and then they hang up. Is there a specific number that works better for reaching tier 2 specialists? This is so stressful.
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Malik Johnson
I know everyone says to call right when they open, but honestly that's when EVERYONE calls. I had better luck calling around 10:30am on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Just my experience tho
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Isabella Santos
•You might be onto something there. I've noticed Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem to have shorter hold times in general. The real issue is getting through the initial automated system before it disconnects you. I had luck with Claimyr.com recently - they basically keep dialing for you until they get through, then connect you. There's a quick video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It saved me hours of frustration after my account got locked for "out of state activity" when I was just using my phone hotspot! Worth checking out if you're desperate to talk to someone at EDD.
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Ravi Sharma
deposit the check! dont overthink it! if edd sends u money TAKE IT lol they might come back later asking for it back but cross that bridge when u get there am i right?? 🤑
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Emma Wilson
•This is risky advice. If the payment was truly made in error, EDD can and will establish an overpayment which you'd have to repay, potentially with penalties if they determine you should have known it was incorrect. Always document everything and try to get clarification about your claim status before spending unexpected funds.
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Oliver Schmidt
UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! Turns out my account was flagged because I certified for benefits from a different IP address AND I had recently updated my banking information. The representative explained that these two changes happening close together triggered an automatic fraud prevention measure. She verified my identity, confirmed the check is legitimate, and removed the fraud flag from my account. My UI Online access should be restored within 48 hours. For anyone experiencing something similar, the rep told me that writing down your case number and asking specifically for a "claim specialist" when you call helps get to someone who can actually fix these issues.
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QuantumLeap
•That's great news! Thanks for coming back to share what happened. This is exactly the kind of automated security flag I mentioned. The system is very sensitive to multiple changes happening at once. For future reference for anyone reading: if you plan to update your payment information, try not to make any other account changes around the same time, and try to certify from the same device and location you usually use until your payment details are fully processed.
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Natasha Volkov
wow how did u even get through to them??? ive been trying to reach edd for days about my claim!
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Oliver Schmidt
•I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and it actually worked! Felt a little weird paying for help calling a government agency, but it saved me from spending another day hitting redial. I got connected to a real person in about 25 minutes.
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