NY unemployment identity theft - Fraudulent claim filed in February showing Head of Household status with 3 exemptions while I'm still employed

Ugh, this EXACT thing happened to me last April. Someone filed using my SSN and it was a complete nightmare to fix. I had to submit countless forms and call the fraud department like 6 times. Make sure you get the ID theft affidavit done ASAP - that's what finally stopped the payments going to the scammer. It took me about 2 months to fully resolve but I was persistent af.

After spending weeks trying to contact someone at ny unemployment about a similar issue, I finally tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and actually got a real person on the phone within an hour. They basically call for you, wait on hold, then connect you when an agent picks up. Talking to an agent got my issue resolved so much faster than waiting for emails or letters. It was honestly the best thing I did to finally get my problem fixed. Check out this video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I work at a company that got hit with several of these fraudulent claims last year. Make sure you get a police report ASAP because that's what the IRS will want to see when you dispute the 1099-G they'll inevitably send you. Also freeze your credit with all 3 bureaus immediately!

OH MY GOD I thought I was the only one!! This happened to me in December. The worst part is I actually needed unemployment benefits in March and got denied because someone had already been collecting in my name! It took FOREVER to fix. You need to be super aggresive with following up or they'll just let your case sit.

This happened to my wife in January. Here's what you need to do: 1. File a police report immediately and get a case number 2. Contact all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and place a fraud alert + credit freeze 3. File a report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov 4. Contact NYSDOL fraud department at 888-598-2077 (call early in the morning for best results) 5. Submit the ID theft affidavit form with all supporting documents 6. If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYSDOL, use claimyr.com - it's the fastest way to get through to an actual agent who can help 7. Keep detailed records of all communications, reference numbers, and who you spoke with 8. Notify your employer's HR department so they can dispute the claim on their end too 9. Consider signing up for identity monitoring services going forward It takes persistence but it will eventually get resolved. Don't give up! The unemployment system is completely overwhelmed right now which is why these scammers are getting away with so much fraud.

the unemployment system is such a joke. scammers get benefits easily while actual unemployed people wait months for approval. im not surprised this is happening to so many people 🤮

Happened to me too! Make sure you also file a report with the Inspector General's office. They're the ones investigating all these unemployment fraud cases. Here's the link: https://oig.ssa.gov/

Check your mail CAREFULLY for the next few months. When this happened to me, they sent a debit card with benefits to my old address. If you can intercept any physical mail related to this fraud it will help your case.

If your getting nowhere with NY unemployment by phone (likely), send a physical letter with CERTIFIED MAIL to their fraud department. That's what finally got them to take action on my case. For some reason the paper trail works better than calls.

This is sooooo common now its crazy. I work in HR and we've had like 15 employees with fraudulent claims filed in their names this year. The DOL is completely overwhelmed. Be prepared for a long process 😩

The same EXACT thing happened to me! I went to file for unemployment and someone already was collecting in my name. I had to go through ID.me verification and it still took 3 months to resolve. Keep calling and documenting everything.

The DOL has a special fraud form you need to fill out: https://dol.ny.gov/report-fraud Also call the FTC and get an identity theft report number. You'll need this for disputing any tax forms later.

im dealing with this right now and its a NIGHTMARE 😭 my credit score dropped 95 points because whoever stole my identity also opened credit cards. definitely do a credit freeze asap!

Bro ive been dealing w this since November its STILL not fixed. NY unemployment is useless. I got a tax bill for $1800 for benefits i never got and had to hire a tax person to help me file correctly. It's insane.

Try reaching your state representative's office! When I couldn't get anywhere with unemployment directly, I contacted my assemblyman's office and they have liaisons who can escalate cases. Worked for me when nothing else did.

I know someone who used claimyr.com when dealing with ny unemployment fraud and they said it was the best money they spent to actually get a human on the phone who could help. Otherwise its literally impossible to reach anyone right now.

I was about ready to give up on my fraud case until my neighbor told me abt claimyr. Got through to an agent in under an hour and they helped me close the fraudulent claim and start the process to clear my name. website is claimyr.com if anyones interested

Just be warned - even after you report the fraud, your account might still show the false claim for months. It takes their system forever to update and remove fraudulent claims. Don't panic if you still see it online.

THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC!!! My entire apartment building got hit with this (6 different people). We think our mail was stolen and they used that to get enough info to file claims. Check your credit reports NOW.