Got a bill for ny unemployment I never claimed - identity theft?

This happened to me too! I got hit with a $560 bill for unemployment I never claimed. Turns out someone had filed using my social security number. You need to report it as fraud ASAP! Go to the NY unemployment website and look for the fraud reporting section. Also file a police report - that helps create a paper trail. And put a freeze on your credit reports with all three agencies right away.

After weeks of trying to reach someone at the unemployment office with no luck, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real agent in under an hour. They basically wait on hold for you then call you when they get someone. It was the best money I ever spent to get this resolved - talking to an actual human got my issue fixed in one call. Check out how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Classic identity theft situation. You need to call the fraud department directly at their number: (888) 598-2077. Make sure you have your case number from the notice ready. They take these cases pretty seriously since COVID when unemployment fraud went through the roof. Don't pay a penny until you talk to someone!

omg this EXACT thing happened to me in February!! someone filed using my info and i got a bill for like $530. its a nightmare. i spent like 18 hours on the phone over 2 weeks and finally got it resolved. the system is completely broken. 🤡

Has anyone found a good direct number to call? Every time I call the main line I get stuck in automated hell for 45 mins then it hangs up on me 😖

Someone using your info to claim benefits is super common these days. Here's what you should do ASAP: 1) Contact the NY DOL fraud department at (888) 598-2077 and report it. You'll need to provide the claim info from the letter, your SSN, and explain the situation. 2) File an identity theft report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov - they'll give you a recovery plan 3) Put a fraud alert on your credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) 4) File a police report - sounds excessive but it helps document everything 5) Contact the unemployment office directly. This is the hardest part since their phone system is completely overwhelmed. I recommend using claimyr.com to get connected to an agent (they wait on hold for you then call you when they get someone). Don't ignore this - if someone has your info to file for unemployment, they could be doing other things with your identity too. Unfortunately this happens to thousands of people every month in NY. The fraud department is actually pretty good about resolving these cases once you get through to them. Good luck! I went through this last year and it was stressful but eventually got resolved.

Welcome to the wonderful world of ny unemployment where nothing makes sense and the rules are made up 🙃 This garbage has been happening since covid.

CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORTS NOW!!! If they got enough info to file for unemployment, they probably have access to other accounts. www.annualcreditreport.com lets you check all 3 bureaus for free.

dont pay it!!! if u pay even $1 it can be seen as admitting the debt is valid. happened to my cousin and it was a nightmare to fix after he made a 'good faith payment

I FINALLY got through to a human at unemployment after using claimyr.com - seriously saved my sanity. My situation was similar (fraudulent claim) and they resolved it once I actually talked to someone.

the unemployment system is an absolute joke. I got a bill for $1200 that wasn't mine, took 3 months to resolve, and then they had the nerve to send me a satisfaction survey about my 'customer experience' 🤣

im in the same boat right now. got a bill for $880 i never claimed. been calling for weeks with no luck getting through. what agency is even in charge of fixing this mess??

The fraud department number everyone keeps posting never answers either! I tried calling 43 times in one day. FORTY-THREE TIMES! This system is completely broken.

After you file the fraud report, you can request something called an Identity Theft Affidavit from the unemployment office. You'll need to notarize it and send it in with your police report. That fast-tracks the investigation process.

Contact your state representative! I was getting nowhere with unemployment until I reached out to my assemblyman's office. They have special liaisons who can escalate these cases. Google '[your county] NY state assembly representative' to find yours.

i work for a nonprofit that helps with these cases. DM me if you need help navigating the system. We can't solve it for you but can point you to the right resources and help with the paperwork.