Can ESD freeze unemployment claims for suspected fraud?

Yes, it's 100% a real thing. ESD calls it putting a 'hold' on your claim while they investigate potential fraud issues. My claim got frozen last month after someone tried to change my direct deposit info. I had to verify my identity again with a ton of documents and wait for them to clear me. Tell your bf to check his eServices account - there should be a message in there explaining what's happening and what he needs to do.

This definitely happens and has become much more common since 2020. ESD implemented stronger fraud detection systems after the massive fraud wave during the pandemic. When they detect something suspicious (unusual login location, multiple accounts from same IP, identity verification issues), they place a hold on payments until investigation is complete. Your boyfriend should have received both an eServices notification AND an email/letter explaining what documents they need. Usually they require: - Government ID (driver's license/passport) - Social security card - Proof of address - Sometimes additional employment verification If he's acting weird about it, it could be because the process is extremely stressful and embarrassing, even when you've done nothing wrong. The hold is NOT a determination of fraud - it's just a precautionary measure while they investigate.

yea my roomate had his claim froze for like 6 weeks last year. total nightmare. esd never even told him why, just suddenly started paying again. system is completly broken imo

Absolutely - it's called a 'fraud hold' or 'identity verification hold' and it's actually very common. When their system flags a potential issue (which can happen for dozens of reasons, sometimes completely random), they stop payments while investigating. Here's what your boyfriend should do immediately: 1. Check for messages in his eServices account - there should be instructions 2. Submit ALL requested identity verification documents promptly 3. Continue filing weekly claims even though payments are paused 4. Call ESD to confirm they received his documents (this is crucial) The problem is actually reaching an ESD agent by phone can be nearly impossible with their current call volumes. I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to an actual ESD agent without spending days redialing. They have a demo video of how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Once I reached someone, they confirmed my documents were received and my claim was unfrozen within a week. Without that call, I think I would have been waiting for months.

This happened to me too!!! Absolute NIGHTMARE dealing with ESD on this. They froze my account for TWO MONTHS saying there was "suspicious activity" but wouldn't tell me what it was!!! I kept filing every week but got ZERO MONEY the whole time while they "investigated." Almost got evicted waiting for them to figure out I wasn't committing fraud!!! 😡😡😡

One thing to note - while fraud holds are definitely real, they usually don't happen without some triggering event. Has your boyfriend: - Recently moved or changed his phone number? - Used a different device or IP address to log in? - Had any identity theft issues in the past? - Changed his banking information? - Been working part-time while claiming? Also, ESD should have sent him specific instructions about what to do. If he's being vague about those instructions, that's potentially concerning. Legitimate fraud holds come with clear steps to resolve them.

I just went through this in February! Mine was frozen for 3 weeks. My advice is he NEEDS to call them, even though it's nearly impossible to get through. After trying for days and getting nowhere, my neighbor told me about Claimyr. It got me through to an ESD agent who confirmed they needed additional verification documents that I didn't even know about! Apparently the notification got lost somehow. Once I submitted everything, it took about 10 days to get unfrozen and they backpaid everything I was owed. If he's acting weird though... honestly you might want to verify he's actually been filing for unemployment in the first place. Not to be negative, but my ex used to make excuses about why his unemployment money was "delayed" when he wasn't actually filing at all.

I work in HR and can confirm this is 100% legitimate. We've had several employees experience fraud holds in the past year. What's concerning is that ESD always sends very specific instructions about how to release the hold. Usually it involves uploading identification documents through their secure portal. If he's being vague about what steps he needs to take, that would make me suspicious.

Update: I talked to him and he showed me his eServices account. There actually is a fraud hold! He had a letter in his messages that he hadn't even opened asking for ID verification from 3 weeks ago! No wonder it's taking so long - he never responded to them! We're uploading his documents now. Thanks everyone for helping me understand this was a real thing and not made up.