Identity theft with ESD - need fax number for verification documents

The ESD fax number for identity verification documents is 833-572-8423. Make sure you include your full name, the last 4 of your SSN, and your claim ID (if you have one) on the cover sheet. Also write "IDENTITY VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS" at the top. I went through the same mess last year. I recommend sending your driver's license, Social Security card, AND a utility bill with your current address. Write a brief letter explaining the identity theft situation. Keep the fax confirmation page as proof! It took them about 3 weeks to process my documents and unlock my account, but it did eventually work.

omg been there!! this happened to me too except they kept transfering me to the worng department!! so freaking frustrating. did they say if your identity was actually used to collect benefits?? mine was and they said 8,200 was paid out to the scammer!!

I had this EXACT problem in January and it was absolutely infuriating!!! The ESD phone system is completely broken. I spent HOURS trying to get someone to help me with identity verification. After two weeks of failed attempts, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD agent in under 20 minutes. They have this system that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I finally spoke with walked me through exactly what documents I needed and gave me both the fax number AND an upload link through their secure portal, which was much easier. My identity was verified in about 10 days.

you can also mail the documents if faxing doesnt work for you. thats what i had to do last time. send it certified mail so they cant claim they never got it!!!

Here's the full info you need: Fax: 833-572-8423 Mail: Employment Security Department ATTN: Unemployment Claims PO Box 19018 Olympia, WA 98507-0018 You should include: 1. Color copy of government-issued photo ID 2. Copy of Social Security card 3. Utility bill dated within last 90 days showing your name and current address 4. A signed statement explaining your situation Include your full name, last 4 of SSN, and claim ID number (if you have one) on EVERY page. After sending documents, you need to call the claims center again to have them flag your account for ID verification review. Otherwise, it can sit unprocessed for weeks. Additionally, you should file an identity theft report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov and with your local police department, as this will help when you need to deal with the fraudulent claim filed in your name.

The ESD system is completely broken. I had my identity stolen too and it took me NINE WEEKS to get it resolved. Even after I sent in all the documents, they kept telling me they were "still being processed" every time I called. The only thing that finally worked was contacting my state representative's office. They have staff dedicated to helping constituents with ESD issues, and things magically got resolved in 3 days after they got involved. Don't waste your time with ESD's broken system. Go straight to your rep's office for help.

Random question - did they give you any information about what to do about your taxes? When my identity was stolen for unemployment, the scammer collected benefits in 2021 and I got a 1099-G tax form for benefits I never received. It was a whole separate nightmare trying to get that corrected.

Quick update on the mailing address I provided earlier - if you're specifically dealing with an identity theft situation (rather than just regular identity verification), you should use this contact information instead: Email: esdfraud@esd.wa.gov Fraud Hotline: 800-246-9763 Fax for Fraud Unit: 833-572-8423 (same as regular fax) Mail: Employment Security Department ATTN: Fraud Investigation PO Box 19018 Olympia, WA 98507-0018 Make sure to clearly mark all communications as "IDENTITY THEFT CASE" so they route it to the correct department. The fraud unit has different procedures than the regular identity verification process.