NY unemployment suddenly canceled my benefits claiming I committed fraud?

I had the exact same thing happen to me last month! I was on UI for 12 weeks after getting let go from my retail job and suddenly they said I committed fraud and owed $4,200 back. turns out someone had filed another claim using my social security number in another state. you need to report identity theft ASAP and dispute the determination. they eventually fixed mine but it took 4 weeks of pure hell.

After trying for THREE WEEKS to get someone on the phone at unemployment, I finally found a service that actually works! Used claimyr.com and they called for me, stayed on hold, then connected me when an agent picked up. It was the only way I could talk to a live agent. I was in exactly the same situation - they accused me of fraud but it was a mistake. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast. Check out their explainer video here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

This is happening ALL OVER right now. NY unemployment has a massive identity verification backlog. I work at a legal aid office and we're seeing dozens of these cases weekly. Here's what you need to do: 1) Document everything - screenshot that message about forfeiture 2) File an identity theft report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov 3) Request a fraud investigation through your unemployment portal 4) Call unemployment - yes I know it's nearly impossible, but you MUST speak to someone 5) Gather all your proof of identity (birth certificate, SS card, passport if you have one, driver's license, several utility bills) The system is completely overwhelmed with actual fraud cases, so legitimate claimants are getting caught in the net. Do NOT pay anything back until you've gone through the appeals process! If you absolutely cannot get through on phones, claimyr.com has been effective for many of our clients as a way to reach a live agent. It's worth considering if traditional methods aren't working. Just be persistent and document everything.

the whole NY unemployment system is a joke. I got falsely accused of fraud in December and im STILL fighting it. They want me to repay $7k when I did nothing wrong! good luck getting a human on the phone - i tried for WEEKS.

Did you use the same device/IP address to log in each time? Sometimes their system flags accounts for fraud if you suddenly log in from a new location or device. Worth mentioning when you finally reach someone.

you NEED to appeal this ASAP! there should be a "request for hearing" option somewere in ur account. NY unemployment is giving people like 30 days to appeal these decisions. dont wait!!

omg i'm literally shaking reading this because THE EXACT SAME THING just happened to me two days ago!! they said I committed identity fraud too but i've been unemployed since January and have filed correctly every single week. now they want $5400 back?! I'm about to be homeless if this doesn't get fixed 😭

This is yet another reason why the entire unemployment system needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. We're using technology and processes from 20 years ago and expecting it to handle modern problems. I'm sorry you're dealing with this nightmare.

Contact your state representative IMMEDIATELY. This worked for me when I had a similar issue. Find your NY state assembly person and senator, email AND call their offices explaining the situation. They have special contacts at unemployment who can escalate cases.

you need to check if someone filed taxes using your SSN. happened to me - someone filed unemployment in my name while i was still working, then when i actually needed benefits i got accused of fraud. check your credit reports ASAP

try calling exactly at 7:58am. thats when the phone lines open and ur most likely to get through. worked for me after trying for days at normal hours.

I know everyone's gonna say "call call call" but let's be real - you're not gonna get through. I wasted 3 weeks trying before I used claimyr.com and got a callback same day. The agent was able to see it was a system error that flagged my account. Two days later my benefits were reinstated and I didn't have to repay anything.

do NOT pay anything back until you've gone through the entire appeals process!! they are sending these notices out by mistake to thousands of people. my neighbor got the same thing, fought it, and got her benefits restored + back pay

classic new york unemployment nonsense. they LOVE to accuse people of fraud with zero evidence. happened to me in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and it took 4 months to fix. the system is designed to frustrate you into giving up.

Make sure you didn't accidentally answer a certification question wrong. I nearly had this happen because I misunderstood a question about being "available for work" during a week I had a medical appointment. Even one wrong answer can trigger fraud flags.