Got a weird identity theft message when filing ny unemployment claim - anyone else?

Yep, same exact thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago! The whole identity theft/fraud message freaked me out. Turned out someone had tried filing a claim using my SSN from another state while I was still working. Took FOREVER to get it sorted. Keep trying the fraud department, and also try calling the regular unemployment line - sometimes they can flag your account differently so it gets reviewed faster.

After weeks of not being able to get through to ny unemployment on the phone, I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got a callback with an actual human rep in about 45 mins. Turns out there was a fraud alert on my account because someone tried using my info in California 🤯 The agent cleared it right away and my payments started 3 days later. Best money I've spent to get my benefits unlocked! They have a video explaining how it works too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

This happened to me in August. The system is a mess rn. They're flagging legitimate claims because there's been so much fraud. You need to upload your ID, social security card, AND proof of address dated within the last 30 days. Even after I did all that it still took 4 more weeks for them to process everything and release my payments.

It's sooooo frustrating!!!!! I literally just went thru the same thing. Their system is garbage. I had to call like 50 times before I got thru to someone who could actually help. The regular reps can't even see fraud cases! You have to specifically ask to be transfered to the fraud/identity theft department. And don't trust the website upload - I uploaded my docs twice and they still claimed they never got them. 🤬

Let me break this down for you - I work adjacent to the system (can't say more for privacy). Here's what's happening: There's been a MASSIVE uptick in fraud cases across NY unemployment since summer. The system is now flagging anything with even minor inconsistencies compared to previous claims. The most common triggers are: - Different IP address than previous filings - Minor name variations (including hyphens or middle initials being different) - Address changes without proper documentation - Bank account changes - Claims filed very soon after employment ends (yes, this shouldn't be a flag but it is) What you need to do: - Upload CLEAR copies of your ID, SSN card, and a utility bill from last 30 days - Call the main unemployment line at 888-209-8124 (use claimyr.com if you can't get through - it actually works) - Request a callback from the identity verification team specifically - Check your spam/junk email for messages from ID.me or NYSDOL The agents CAN expedite your case if you explain you have urgent financial needs. Don't give up - this is happening to thousands of people right now.

has any1 tried going to the actual unemployment office? i had a similar issue and sitting in the waiting room for 4 hours was still faster than trying to deal with this over the phone 😭

my claim got flagged for the same reason! turned out someone in Florida tried using my SSN to file a claim there. what helped me was contacting my state assembly person. they have special liaisons to nys unemployment and got my case fixed in like 3 days.

Sounds exactly like what I just went through last month. They've got crazy fraud detection going on right now. Check your mail too - they sent me a letter with a special code I needed to enter online, but the website never mentioned I needed to do this. The whole system is f*cked tbh

Ugh I feel ur pain! Got stuck in ID verification hell for almost a MONTH. What finally worked was callng the governors office and filing a complaint. Magically my claim was fixed TWO DAYS later. Try it!

Try checking your credit report asap!!! When this happened to me it turned out someone had actually stolen my identity and opened credit cards too. The unemployment system caught it before I even knew about it.

This is gonna sound crazy but try Twitter. I DM'd the NYSDOL account after 3 weeks of getting nowhere and they actually responded and escalated my case. Got a call from a supervisor the next day.

yeah the fraud claims are out of control right now. my roommate got the same message. he used claimyr.com to finally reach someone (after literally 80+ calls) and they said there's a huge backlog of identity verification cases. they're like 3-4 weeks behind in processing them all.

When did everyone get ID.me? I had to do that verification last year but my buddy who just filed got the fraud message instead. Seems like they're using different systems for different people??

i stg ny unemployment is actively TRYING to keep people from getting benefits. like they make the system as broken as possible on purpose 🤡