ESD agent calling to verify conflicting separation info - scam or legit?

Yes, ESD absolutely does call claimants directly when there are discrepancies in separation information! This is actually a common part of the adjudication process. When you and your employer provide different reasons for separation, they need to investigate to determine if you qualify for benefits. It's called a fact-finding interview, and it's completely normal. If you want to verify it's legitimate, call the main ESD number (not the callback number they left) and ask if there's an adjudicator assigned to your claim. You can also check your eServices account for any notices about scheduled fact-finding interviews.

BE CAREFUL!!! I got a similar call last month claiming to be from ESD and they tried to get me to give them my SSN and birthdate to "verify my identity" before discussing my claim. Turned out to be a total SCAM! These fraudsters are getting really sophisticated. They even knew some basic details about my claim which freaked me out.

This is definitely a legitimate part of the ESD process. When there are conflicting separation reasons, they have to determine who's telling the truth because it affects your eligibility. If your employer claims you were fired for misconduct but you said you were laid off, that's a huge difference in terms of benefit eligibility. My recommendation: check your eServices account for any messages about a fact-finding interview. If you see nothing there, call the main ESD number at 800-318-6022 to verify the legitimacy of the call. Just be prepared to wait forever to get through.

When I had a similar situation a couple months ago (employer claimed I quit, but I was actually laid off), I struggled for WEEKS to connect with the adjudicator. They'd call when I couldn't answer, I'd call back and never reach anyone, total nightmare. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected with an actual ESD agent instead of playing endless phone tag. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The important thing is that you DO need to connect with that adjudicator soon. If you miss the fact-finding interview, ESD might make a determination based only on your employer's side of the story, which could lead to a denial of benefits.

i got a call from esd last year and it was real. they just wanted to hear my side of the story. my boss said i was fired for attendance but i had doctors notes for everything. make sure you answer when they call bacause if u miss the fact finding call they might just go with whatever ur employer said

This happened to me earlier this year when my employer claimed I wasn't eligible because I supposedly walked off the job (I didn't - I was laid off). The adjudicator called to get my version of events. It's a good sign actually - it means they're not just taking your employer's word for it. Make sure you return the call ASAP because they only allow a certain timeframe for the fact-finding interview before making a decision. One weird thing: in my case, the adjudicator called from a blocked number even though they left a different callback number in their voicemail. So don't be surprised if that happens to you too.

am i the only one who thinks its INSANE that we have to PROVE we deserve benefits when we're the ones who lost our jobs?? like why do they automatically believe employers over us? the whole system is rigged against workers! my friend got denied because her boss straight up LIED about why she was fired and she couldn't prove otherwise. so frustrating!!!!

UPDATE: I called the main ESD number this morning and after a 45-minute wait, finally got through to an agent. They confirmed there IS an adjudicator assigned to my claim who's trying to reach me about the separation issue. Apparently my former employer is claiming I quit voluntarily (which would disqualify me), but I was actually laid off due to a department reorganization. The agent put notes in my file about the best times to reach me and gave me the adjudicator's direct line. She said I should gather any documentation proving the layoff (termination letter, emails, etc.) before the fact-finding interview. Just wanted to update in case anyone else runs into this situation!

Glad you got it sorted out! That's exactly the right approach. For the fact-finding interview, be prepared to explain in detail: 1. The exact circumstances of your separation 2. Any conversations you had with management about it 3. Whether you received any documentation 4. If there were any witnesses Stick to facts rather than emotions, and have your timeline clear. If your employer is claiming you quit but you were laid off, that's a significant discrepancy they need to resolve before approving benefits. Good luck with the interview!