As people across the country continue to get letters from Kentucky’s unemployment insurance office about fraudulent claims that have been filed on their behalf, the state is trying to open up new ways to get the issue resolved.
This issue is not new to Kentucky or across the nation in other states. According to an article from the Courier-Journal, 70% of all claims filed in January have identity verification issues, a possible indicator of fraud. The Kentucky unemployment office says about half of the approximately 82,000 unresolved claims from 2020 are likely fraudulent.
An online form launched Thursday by the Kentucky Unemployment Office is accessible at kcc.ky.gov and can be found by clicking on the orange button by the “unemployment insurance fraud” label. This site can be used to flag a claim opened under an individual’s name as fraudulent which will lead the state to delete the claim. The office states those who followed previous guidance to email UIfraud@ky.gov to report a fraudulent claim do not need to fill out the online form.
Employers, who are also notified when a claim is filed, can also report fraudulent claims.
There are also people receiving checks who did not file and even some who have never lived in the state. If an individual receives a paper check despite never having filed for benefits, state officials ask they mail it back to the state, addressed to: Office of Unemployment Insurance, Attention BPC, 500 Mero Street 4th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601.
The site encourages people:
If you think, someone has filed a UI claim in your name (i.e. you received a 1099-G form that indicates you received UI benefits, but you never filed for UI), report the identity theft fraud to all of the following entities:
- OUI by clicking (https://secure.kentucky.gov/FormServices/UI/Fraud)
- Your employer
- File a police report with your local police department. Obtain a copy of the report that you can provide to creditors and credit agencies.
- File a complaint with the National Center for Disaster Fraud.
- Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Change passwords on your email, banking, and other personal accounts. Make a list of credit card companies, banks, and other financial institutions where you do business. Tell them you are a victim of identity theft, and ask them to put a fraud alert on your account. Get a copy of your credit report and dispute any fraudulent transactions. You can request credit reports online from the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
The Kentucky Attorney General also has a fraud identity theft page located on their website for those that need additional help.
I received a letter from the Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance re Entitlement Determination for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance…I do not or have ever lived in Kentucky so not sure why I got this.
Can’t speak with anyone about fraudulent man trying to claim unemployment benefits off my husband’s Home improvement business, call back later WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!