DEO claim stuck in fraud department limbo for 8 weeks - need direct contact!
I'm at my wit's end with this whole DEO situation! Filed my new claim on February 22, 2025 and everything was going smoothly until the system crashed during my fraud verification process on February 24th. Since then, my claim is basically trapped in some digital black hole! I've called the DEO almost EVERY SINGLE DAY for the past 8 weeks, and the only response I get is that my claim 'needs to be rerun and released from fraud verification.' Every agent tells me something different, but they all confirm that everything else in my application is complete - this is 100% a technical issue on THEIR end, not mine! Does ANYONE have a direct email or phone number for the Fraud Investigation department? I'm now owed for 8 weeks of benefits (about $2,750 total) and I'm about to lose my apartment. How is it legal for them to hold my valid claim for this long because their system glitched??
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Caleb Bell
I had an almost identical situation back in October. After calling for weeks with no progress, I finally got through to someone who could actually help. Your best bet is to email Fraud.Help@deo.myflorida.com with your claimant ID, last 4 of SSN, and a brief explanation of what happened. Make the subject line 'URGENT: Claim Stuck in Fraud Verification Since [date].' Mine was resolved within 3 business days after emailing them. The regular call center reps don't have access to the fraud system, so they just keep telling you the same thing. Also, make sure you're still claiming your weeks even though you're not getting paid - they'll backpay once it's fixed.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•THANK YOU! I just sent an email with all my info. Did they actually respond to your email or did your account just suddenly get fixed? And yes, I've been claiming every week religiously, but it's so frustrating to keep doing it with no money showing up.
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Danielle Campbell
the fraud dept is a JOKE!!! been thru this BS myself and lost my car becuz of it. they dont care if we starve or lose our homes. system is rigged!!!
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•I'm seriously worried about that too. Did your claim eventually get fixed or are you still waiting?
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Rhett Bowman
You might want to try contacting your state representative. I had a similar issue (different department but same lack of response) and my state rep's office called DEO on my behalf. Got fixed within 48 hours after 6 weeks of nothing. Look up who represents your district and most have a constituent services form on their website specifically for helping with state agencies. Worth a shot!
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•That's a great idea I hadn't thought of! I'll look mine up right now. So frustrating that we have to go to these lengths just to get what we're entitled to.
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Abigail Patel
i had this exact same problem!!! the fraud system is completely broken right now! i called like 60 times and finally got a tier 2 agent who told me they're having a system-wide issue with the fraud verification process that started in February. apparently lots of claims are getting stuck.
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Daniel White
•This is accurate. I work with a community assistance program and we've seen a major uptick in cases like this since they migrated to the new verification system in February. The DEO hasn't publicly acknowledged the issue, but their staff have confirmed it to several of our clients. Unfortunately the fix has to come from their IT department, and there's a backlog.
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Nolan Carter
Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to a DEO agent? I was in a similar situation (stuck in ID verification hell for weeks) and couldn't get through on the regular line. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a real agent in about 20 minutes. The agent was able to escalate my case to a supervisor who fixed the issue while I was on the phone. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•I've never heard of this service before but I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Did they actually connect you to someone with authority to fix things? Because I've gotten through to plenty of agents who just tell me they can't help with fraud department issues.
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Nolan Carter
Yes, they connected me to a regular agent first, but I specifically asked to be transferred to a tier 2 agent or supervisor who could help with fraud verification issues. The key is being very specific about needing someone with access to that system. The regular agents can't help, but they CAN transfer you if you're persistent.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•That makes sense. I'll give it a try tomorrow morning. At this point I've wasted so much time on hold that it's worth trying something different.
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Natalia Stone
As an FYI for everyone - the DEO is dealing with a known system issue affecting fraud verification specifically for claims filed between February 15-28, 2025. I'm a volunteer at Legal Aid and we're seeing tons of these cases. The system crash on 2/24 affected thousands of claims. If your claim is stuck in this status, you need to request a "manual override" specifically. Most agents don't know how to do this, so you need to specifically ask for a supervisor or tier 2 agent. Also, make sure you've uploaded clear copies of your ID and social security card to your CONNECT account under "Documents" - this can sometimes trigger a manual review.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I didn't know about uploading the documents directly. Just did that now. I'll specifically ask for a manual override when I call tomorrow.
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Rhett Bowman
Just checking back - any updates? Did that email to the fraud department work or did you end up trying Claimyr? I'm dealing with a similar issue (though mine is stuck in monetary determination, not fraud) and trying to figure out the best approach.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•UPDATE: Success! I tried both approaches. I sent the email, then used Claimyr the next morning. Got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes, asked specifically for a tier 2 specialist who could do a manual override for the fraud verification issue. They transferred me after a brief hold, and the tier 2 agent was able to see that my claim was affected by the 2/24 system crash. She processed the manual override while I was on the phone! My account updated overnight and all 8 weeks of payments are now showing as "processed" - should be in my account in 2-3 business days! Total relief after nearly 9 weeks of stress.
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Abigail Patel
congrats!! im still waiting on mine... been 6 weeks now. gonna try that claimyr thing tomorrow.
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Caleb Bell
•Just make sure to specifically ask for a tier 2 agent or supervisor who can process a manual override for the fraud verification system. Regular agents will just tell you they can't help and to keep waiting. You have to be really clear about what you need.
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