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Defense Finance and Accounting Service employees in Indiana and Ohio are among thousands of victims impacted by a massive fraudulent scheme targeting the federally funded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program.
This scheme is now threatening to reach other states.
In Ohio, it is estimated over 29 percent of the claims filed during the week of February 14 – 20 were fraudulent.
The issue affects both the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance as well as normal unemployment benefit claims In Ohio.
Victims of this scam were unaware that claims had been filed on their behalf. The first indication of fraud a victim will see is a letter from the state that contains a pin for an account or a user name and password to gain access to an account fraudulently opened in their name or a 1099-G form from the IRS.
If a fraudulent request is discovered, there are steps victims can take to mitigate the damage and close the fraudulent account.
Ethan Kibler, Internal Review Senior Special Agent, was one of the DFAS victims of the fraud in Ohio. He took several steps to address the issue.
"I filed a report with the State of Ohio through a website they have set up specifically for victims of this fraud scheme," said Kibler. "I think that reporting it made a difference. I have not received any further letters from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) in over a month."
If you are a scam victim in Ohio, access the ODJFS fraud page at https://unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov/ and click "Report Identity Theft."
For all other states, contact your state unemployment office if you feel you received a letter in error.
If you believe you are a victim of fraud:
•Review your credit report and place an initial fraud alert on your credit file
•File a police report
In addition to state-level issues, some victims have reported receiving an additional 1099-G form detailing additional money reported as income. The IRS website provides more information if this happens. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-offers-guidance-to-taxpayers-on-identity-theft-involving-unemployment-benefits
The issue of identity theft is not confined to just unemployment reports. If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft, https://www.identitytheft.gov/steps provides information on what to do.
According to the site, these are some of the steps you may take:
What To Do Right Away
Are you dealing with tax, medical, or child identity theft? See: Special forms of identity theft
•Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.
•Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.
•Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC.
•You may choose to file a report with your local police department.
What To Do Next
Begin to repair the damage.
•Close new accounts opened in your name.
•Remove bogus charges from your accounts.
•Correct your credit report.
•Consider adding an extended fraud alert or credit freeze.
•Review your credit reports often.
Other Possible Steps
Depending on your situation, you might need to take additional steps.
•Report a misused Social Security number.
•Stop debt collectors from trying to collect debts you don't owe.
•Replace government-issued IDs.
•Clear your name of criminal charges.
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.28.2021 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 411991 |
| Location: | INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Unemployment Fraud hitting DFAS employees, by Steven Lawson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
