AM I A VICTIM?

Many don’t know the scam is happening until they hear from unemployment officials or employers alerting them to a filing. They often struggle to clear the confusion and, if unemployed, struggle to set up a profile in the state system.

HOW DO THEY GET AWAY WITH IT?

The U. S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General told Congress this year it expected 10% of payments to be improper through fraud. States are vulnerable because their computer systems are antiquated and offices underfunded.

Scammers use real names of victims with their Social Security numbers and dates of birth to file for unemployment online. They “cash out” by wiring the money to mobile banking apps rather than using brick- and- mortar banks.