ESD Fraud claim from 2020 blocking my benefits - every week disqualified
I'm dealing with a nightmare situation with ESD that's been going on since January. When I first tried to file for unemployment after my tech company downsized, I couldn't even log into the ESD portal. After calling ESD (took 3 days to get through), they informed me someone had filed a fraudulent claim under my name back in 2020 when I was fully employed at my previous job. They transferred me to the fraud department who had me upload my ID documents (driver's license, SS card, birth certificate) to verify my identity. After all that, I was able to reset my password and access my account. The problem is I've been filing my weekly claims since mid-January, but EVERY SINGLE WEEK shows as 'disqualified' with no explanation. I'm now 9 weeks into this mess with zero benefits paid. I contacted the Governor's office about 3 weeks ago and they said they'd escalate my case. I followed up with them today and they connected me with a caseworker (left them a voicemail). Out of desperation, I called ESD again today and miraculously got through to a rep who told me my current claim is completely held up because of this fraudulent claim from 2020 that's still in their system. She transferred me to the fraud department again who said I just need to fill out a form to have the false claim removed. Has anyone else dealt with this identity theft/fraud situation with ESD? How long did it take to resolve after submitting the fraud form? I'm getting really worried as my savings are almost gone and I can't understand why they keep letting me file weekly claims if they knew this whole time it was all getting disqualified because of the 2020 situation.
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Drew Hathaway
omg yes this happened to me last yr!!!! took me FOREVER to fix it. the fraud dept is sooooo slow
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Sadie Benitez
•How long is 'forever'? Are we talking weeks or months? I'm already 9 weeks without any income and getting desperate.
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Laila Prince
The exact same thing happened to my brother back in 2022. Someone had filed using his info during the pandemic. The frustrating part is they make you keep filing those weekly claims even though they're getting disqualified. Here's what worked for him: After submitting the fraud form, he called EVERY DAY until he got someone who could actually help. The regular agents can't do anything - you need to talk to someone in the fraud department specifically. Also, contact your state representative's office! They have special channels to ESD and can often get things moving faster than you can on your own. It took him about 6 weeks after submitting the fraud form to get everything cleared up, but then they did pay him backpay for all those disqualified weeks.
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Sadie Benitez
•Thanks for the detailed response! I've already contacted the Governor's office, but reaching out to my state rep is a good idea too. I'm not sure I have the patience to call ESD every day though - it's nearly impossible to get through!
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Isabel Vega
I work with ESD cases regularly and this ID theft/fraud issue is unfortunately common but absolutely resolvable. The fraud form should specifically be the "Identity Theft Fraud Report" which needs to be completed in full. Make sure you request back-payment for all those disqualified weeks once your identity is verified. One thing to consider: the regular phone line will keep you frustrated. I've had clients have much better luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with ESD agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that shows how it works. It's helped many people in your situation get through faster. Typically, these fraud-related blocks take 3-5 weeks to clear after submitting the proper documentation, though I've seen some resolve in as little as 2 weeks with persistent follow-up.
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Sadie Benitez
•I'll check out that service - at this point I'd try anything to get through consistently. I'm worried because the fraud dept rep didn't specify which form exactly, just said "a form" which isn't very helpful. I'll make sure to ask for the "Identity Theft Fraud Report" specifically.
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Dominique Adams
File a police report for the identity theft too!!!! They sometimes want to see that. And keep COPIES of everything you submit. ESD is notorious for "losing" documentation. i had to submit my drivers license THREE TIMES because they said they never got it even tho their site showed it was uploaded. total mess.
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Sadie Benitez
•Oh that's a good point about the police report. I should probably do that regardless for the identity theft. And yeah, I've been taking screenshots of everything I submit just in case!
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Marilyn Dixon
I want to clarify an important point about your situation. What you're describing is an "Identity Theft Block" on your claim. This is different from a regular adjudication issue. When you submit the Identity Theft Fraud Report, be sure to include: 1. A statement explaining you were employed during the 2020 claim period 2. Documentation from your employer confirming your employment during that time 3. Any W-2s or pay stubs from 2020 Also, request a specific notation in your file that you are requesting retroactive payments for all weeks filed since January 2025. In my experience working with similar cases, resolution typically takes 3-4 weeks after submitting the Identity Theft Fraud Report, but can be expedited if you can get through to a fraud specialist directly. The key is making sure your case is assigned to the right department.
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Sadie Benitez
•Thank you for these specific details! I didn't know I needed to include employment documentation from 2020. Luckily I still have all my tax forms from that year. I'll definitely include everything you mentioned when I submit the form.
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Louisa Ramirez
the whole system is a JOKE!!!! i had something similar but not fraud exactly and was disqualified for TEN WEEKS before someone bothered to fix it. they don't care about us at all. the fact they let u keep filing when they KNOW ur gonna be disqualified is PROOF they just want to torture people
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Marilyn Dixon
•While I understand your frustration, there's actually a reason they have people continue filing weekly claims even during issues like this. It's so when the issue is resolved, you can receive all backdated payments without having to go through an additional process to request weeks you missed filing for. It's actually in the claimant's best interest, though I agree ESD should communicate this better.
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Louisa Ramirez
•thats what they WANT you to believe. my cousin works for the state (not esd) and says they do it on purpose to discourage people from continuing claims. WAKE UP people!!
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TommyKapitz
I tried Claimyr when I was dealing with an adjudication issue (not fraud, but still couldn't get through to anyone). It actually worked - got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The agent told me they're swamped with fraud cases right now because of some data breach that happened, so that might be why it's taking so long. Definitely keep pushing though, and document every single conversation - get names of who you talk to and take notes on what they say.
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Sadie Benitez
•Thanks for sharing your experience. Interesting about the data breach - no one has mentioned that to me. I'll definitely try Claimyr if I don't hear back from the caseworker from the Governor's office in the next day or two.
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Drew Hathaway
hey did u get the form yet? the one they should send u is called ESD 8028. if they didnt tell u that then call back and ask for it specifically!!
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Sadie Benitez
•Not yet! Thank you for the specific form number - that's super helpful. I'll call back tomorrow and ask for that form specifically. Really appreciate it!
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Isabel Vega
Just to follow up on my earlier comment - make sure you're specifically asking to speak with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) when you call ESD about fraud issues. Regular agents often don't have the authority to address these cases properly. And for clarity - there are two separate issues you need to resolve: 1. Getting the fraudulent 2020 claim properly documented and removed 2. Having your current claim properly processed once the fraud block is removed These often require speaking with different departments, which is why it's so frustrating. The fraud documentation has to be fully processed before your current claim can move forward.
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Sadie Benitez
•This is really helpful context. I had no idea there were two separate processes involved. I'll specifically ask for the Office of Special Investigations when I call back. The whole system is so confusing!
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