Got a strange email from NY unemployment - is this fraud or legit?

DO NOT CLICK THOSE LINKS!!! This is 100% a scam. The real DOL never sends emails asking you to verify stuff like that with clickable links. Someone is trying to steal your identity. You should forward the email to the fraud department. DOL has a specific email address for reporting unemployment fraud.

After struggling with this exact same issue, I finally got through to a real person at unemployment who confirmed it was fraud. I was on hold for ages until I found claimyr.com which connected me to an agent in about 20 minutes! Totally worth it - they helped me flag my account for fraud protection and explained exactly what to do next. Check out this video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

yep its a scam. I got the same trash email like 3 weeks ago. DOL is having a huge problem with identity theft lately. You should report it to both DOL and also the FTC at identitytheft.gov cuz that means someone probably has enough of ur personal info to try filing a claim in ur name.

I dealt with something exactly like this last month. It's identity theft. Someone tried to apply for benefits using my information. You need to contact the DOL ASAP and tell them you've been targeted for fraud. They will put a hold on any claims with your SSN. Also check your credit reports NOW. I had to freeze mine and file a police report. It's a huge headache to fix, so don't delay.

Ok so here's what u need to know about this scam (I work in IT security). These phishing emails are getting super sophisticated. They clone the real DOL emails almost perfectly. The way to check: hover over any links (don't click!) and look at the actual URL. Legit DOL emails will ALWAYS have links that go to ny.gov domains. Anything else is fake. Also the real DOL will never ask you to provide your full SSN, bank info, or passwords via email or links.

I've been dealing with the NY unemployment system for what feels like FOREVER and the biggest thing I've learned - they almost never initiate contact via email for important account issues. They usually send official mail to your address on file, and if they do email, they just tell you to log into your account directly (never through links in the email). Forward that to fraud@labor.ny.gov and then delete it.

Here's a comprehensive guide based on my experience dealing with unemployment fraud earlier this year: 1) DO NOT click any links in the email - it's 100% a phishing attempt 2) Report the fraud immediately: - Forward the email to fraud@labor.ny.gov - Report it at identitytheft.gov (FTC's site) - File a police report with your local precinct (some credit agencies require this) 3) Protect your identity: - Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) - Consider a credit freeze (stronger than a fraud alert) - Check your credit reports for any unauthorized activity - Change passwords on important accounts 4) Contact NYS DOL directly: - Call their fraud hotline at 888-598-2077 (be prepared to wait or try early morning) - OR use claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent without the wait - Document everything - keep a log of all calls, emails and communications 5) Monitor everything going forward: - Check your mail for any unexpected unemployment documents - Watch your bank accounts for suspicious activity - Keep monitoring your credit reports I had to deal with this last February and it was a nightmare until I got through to an actual person. Trust me - being proactive now will save you months of headaches later.

Just as an FYI the DOL is completely overwhelmed with fraud cases right now. My cousin works there and says they're getting thousands of these reports daily. That's why it's so hard to get anyone on the phone. Identity theft for unemployment benefits is at an all-time high in NY.

If you want a quick way to tell if it's fraud - The real DOL never asks for your full SSN via email, never sends attachments you need to download (huge red flag), and never threatens immediate suspension of benefits if you don't respond within 24hrs (common scammer tactic).

Anyone else noticed how these scams seem to target people who filed for unemployment during covid? I swear they must have gotten a data breach or something because everyone I know who got benefits in 2020-2021 has been getting these phishing attempts.

i just went through this EXACT situation two weeks ago! someone tried to file using my info, but I caught it because I got that weird email. I tried calling unemployment for THREE DAYS with no luck. Finally found this service called claimyr that got me connected to a real person who fixed everything. Saved me hours of hold time and frustration. claimyr.com was seriously a lifesaver.

Ok so this actually happened to my roommate last month. VERY IMPORTANT: if someone filed a fraudulent claim using your identity, you need to worry about your TAX RETURNS too! The scammer might try to file taxes in your name next. Call the IRS at 800-908-4490 to put a note on your account that you've been a victim of identity theft. Also get an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS for next tax season.

The irony of NY unemployment is astounding. Can't get through to a human when you ACTUALLY need benefits, but somehow scammers are filing claims left and right with stolen identities. State government at its finest folks 🤦‍♂️

Some tips from someone who works in identity protection: If you're ever unsure about an email claiming to be from a government agency, DON'T click links. Instead, manually type the official website address in your browser and log in that way. For NY unemployment, that's labor.ny.gov. From there you can check if there are any legitimate notices on your account.

Am I the only one who thinks its insane that in 2023 the NY unemployment system is still this vulnerable to fraud? Like how hard would it be to implement proper identity verification? The system is stuck in 1995 I swear.

Don't forget once you report the fraud to DOL, they're gonna send you a form to fill out! It's called an Affidavit of Fraud. Make sure you fill it out completely and return it RIGHT AWAY. If you don't return this form, they might not fully investigate or protect your account. My sister ignored this step and it caused her huge problems later.

My husband's identity was used for fraudulent unemployment claims last year. Here's what we learned: you need to contact both NYS DOL *and* your employer. Sometimes the first notification actually goes to your current/former employer, who might get a notice asking them to verify employment details. If your employer confirms without checking with you first, it makes resolving the fraud even harder.

i dont get why these scammers even bother with unemployment fraud. dont they know benefits are a nightmare to get even when you legit qualify? 🤣