Unemployment scams

Warning signs of unemployment scams

You may be experiencing an unemployment scam if you did not apply for unemployment benefits but received:

• A notice from your state's unemployment office
• A notice from your former employer about an unemployment benefits application that you did not apply for
• Form 1099-G that shows you got unemployment benefit payments you were not expecting and never received. The 1099-G you receive may be sent to you from a state where you have never been employed.
• A direct deposit from your state's unemployment office that you did not expect to receive
• A call from someone claiming to be from your state unemployment office saying money was deposited into your account by mistake

If you did apply for unemployment benefits, you may be affected by an unemployment scam if:

• The application you filled out online was on a fraudulent website, not from your state's unemployment office 
• You were approved for unemployment insurance payments but have not received them
• The unemployment office rejected your application for benefits because they already received a claim under your name

How to report an unemployment scam

Report the scam to:

• Your former employer
• Your state unemployment insurance program
• The Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov if the scammer stole personal information like your Social Security number

If you received Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits you did not expect or receive, learn what to do when you file your federal tax return.

How to protect yourself from unemployment scams

• Do not share personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth.
• Make sure you are using the actual website or phone number for your state's official unemployment benefits agency. 
• Request and review your credit report regularly to look for fraudulent activity like unauthorized loans or expenses.

Place a freeze on your credit report to prevent someone else from applying for loans or credit under your name.