Approved for ny unemployment but only paid 1 week due to fraud flag - dealing with this since July 2022!

Same boat here. Been dealing with a fraud flag since September 2022 and they refuse to transfer me to anyone who can actually fix it. They just keep saying they will "put a note in the system" which does absolutely nothing. I've called at least 25 times.

After 6 months of the same issue, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a live agent who could actually help! They call and wait on hold for you then connect when someone picks up. Talking to an actual level 3 agent got my payments released within a week after months of nothing. Best decision I made during this nightmare! Here's a video about how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The whole fraud detection system is completely broken. Your account probably got flagged automatically and now you're stuck in bureaucratic limbo. I filed a complaint with the state ombudsman AND my state representative after 4 months of this nonsense and suddenly things started moving. Try that route too.

Listen to me very carefully. DO NOT START A NEW CLAIM NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. If you start a new claim, you'll lose all that backpay from 2022. Keep insisting on speaking to a supervisor or level 3 specialist. They'll try to wear you down but don't give up. That's their strategy.

For what it's worth, I had success sending a physical letter via certified mail to the commissioner's office explaining the situation. Include all your documentation, reference numbers, and a timeline of your contacts with them. Taking it out of their broken phone system sometimes works because they have to document receipt of certified mail.

I spent MONTHS in this exact situation and what finally worked was using claimyr.com to get through to an actual helpful agent (most regular agents can't do anything with fraud flags), AND simultaneously contacting my state assembly person. The combo approach worked - got all my back payments about 10 days later.

Here's what worked for me with the EXACT same issue: First, I documented everything. Every call, every rep's name, every confirmation number they gave me. Second, I contacted my state senator's constituent services office. They have staff dedicated to unemployment issues and direct lines to DOL. Third, I used claimyr.com to connect with agents until I found one willing to actually help. Took 4 tries but finally got someone who could see the fraud flag and manually review it. Fourth, I filed a formal complaint through the Governor's office website about the delay. The combination of pressure from multiple angles broke the logjam. The fraud flag was removed and I received ALL my backpay in one lump sum. Don't give up! The system is designed to make you quit, but persistence eventually works. Just remember to keep detailed records of every interaction.

You need to DEMAND to speak to a supervisor every single time. The regular reps are trained to brush you off. Be polite but extremely firm. Say these exact words: "I understand you're doing your job, but this issue requires supervisor intervention and I will remain on the line until that happens." Works about 50% of the time for me.

I'm a former DOL contractor (not in NY but another state with similar systems). The truth is most fraud flags need to be manually reviewed by specialized staff and there's a huge backlog. The level 1 agents literally CANNOT help you - it's not that they won't, they don't have system access. Your best bet is contacting your state rep AND using a service like claimyr.com to avoid the hold times so you can keep trying different agents until you find one willing to escalate properly.

my sister had the EXACT same situation and she sent a letter to her congressional representative's office. They have caseworkers who deal with federal agencies all day. She got a call from DOL within a week and had her money 10 days later. Politicians can work miracles when it comes to this stuff because nobody at these agencies wants congressional oversight looking at them.

is anyone else getting anxiety just reading this? the ny unemployment system is such a nightmare. sending strength to you OP 💪

Call during odd hours if possible. Tuesday and Thursday between 2-3pm seems to get the more experienced reps for some reason. Also, if you speak another language, try that line! The Spanish and Mandarin lines often have shorter wait times and the reps there tend to have more authority to fix things.

TWEET AT THEM. I know it sounds stupid but their social media team is actually responsive because they don't want public complaints. @NYSLabor on Twitter - be specific about how long you've been waiting and that you've verified with ID.me multiple times. It worked for me after 7 months of the same runaround you're describing.

Broooo i went thru this and finally got my $10,000+ in backpay after 9 months of fighting. The ONLY thing that worked was getting my case escalated by a sympathetic agent using claimyr.com to connect faster without waiting on hold for hours. The fraud department eventually called me, verified my identity again, and released everything within 48 hours. Stay persistent!