What number to call for NY unemployment identity theft and actually reach a human?

For identity theft with NY unemployment, you need to call their fraud department at 1-888-598-2077. Make sure you select option 2 for fraud reporting. They're open 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. You should also complete the Identity Theft Affidavit (Form ID-520) on their website and submit it through your online account. I had to deal with this in January and it was definitely frustrating getting through.

Thank you, but I've already tried that number multiple times!!! It just puts me in an endless queue and then disconnects after 30 minutes. I need to actually SPEAK to someone who can help stop this and fix my account!

try calling right when they open at 8am sharp. thats how i got thru last time

I tried that yesterday - called at exactly 8:00 and still got the 'high call volume' message and was on hold for 40 minutes before being disconnected!

Identity theft cases with the NYSDOL require multiple steps:\n\n1. Call the fraud department at 1-888-598-2077\n2. File an ID theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov\n3. Submit the Identity Theft Affidavit (Form ID-520) through your NY.gov account\n4. Place a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus\n5. File a police report with your local precinct\n\nMake sure you're documenting everything with dates, times, and names of anyone you speak with. Most importantly, don't give up on calling - persistence is key with NYSDOL.

Yep this is exactly what I had to do too. The credit bureau part is super important - put a freeze on all three.

I had the EXACT same problem last month!! Called like 50 times and never got through. I ended up using Claimyr.com to connect with a live agent after days of frustration. They somehow get you past the busy signals and endless holds. Costs a bit but saved me SO much time and stress. Their video shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Thank you!!! I'm going to try this right now - at this point I'd do ANYTHING to get this fixed. Did you end up getting your identity theft issue resolved?

Yes! Once I actually got through to a real person, they put a fraud alert on my account and started the investigation. They also gave me a direct extension to call back if I needed to follow up. The whole thing took about 30 minutes once I was connected.

This claimyr thing actually works? Seems sketchy that you have to pay to talk to a gov agency that should be accessible to everyone for FREE. The whole system is such a joke!!

my cousin used it last week and said it worked but thats just fyi

This happened to me last year, and it was absolutely terrifying. Besides calling, make sure you reach out to your state assemblyperson's office. I was getting nowhere with NYSDOL until I contacted my assembly member. Their office has special liaisons who can cut through the red tape. I had my case resolved within a week after struggling for almost a month on my own.

That's a great idea I hadn't thought of! Which office did you contact specifically? And did you just call their main number?

I just googled

THANK YOU!! Just used Claimyr and FINALLY got through to someone!! They've flagged my account for fraud investigation and are sending me paperwork to fill out. The agent gave me her direct extension too. Such a relief to actually talk to a human being after days of frustration!

make sure u monitor ur credit report for the next year at least. my sister had this happen n they tried opening credit cards 6 months later

Good point - I'll set up credit monitoring. This is all so stressful!

After you've handled the immediate fraud reporting, file Form DTF-275 with the NY State Tax Department as well. This alerts them to potential tax fraud using your SSN. Given that someone has your personal information, they might try to file fraudulent tax returns in your name.

Thank you for this! I hadn't even thought about tax implications. Will definitely file that form ASAP.

It's good to hear you got through! For anyone else facing identity theft issues with NY unemployment:\n\n1. Try the fraud hotline (1-888-598-2077) during non-peak hours (Tuesday-Thursday afternoons tend to be better)\n2. Use Claimyr if you continue having trouble getting through\n3. Contact your state assembly member's office as a backup\n4. Complete all the required forms (ID-520, DTF-275)\n5. Place credit freezes at all three bureaus\n6. File an FTC report at IdentityTheft.gov\n\nIdentity theft cases require persistence but can be resolved with the right approach.