BOISE, Idaho — Boise Police is warning the public about a new scam involving unemployment. The department has received 16 reports in recent weeks of scammers fraudulently opening unemployment claims under victim's names and taking the benefits.
Claimants should never post screenshots of their claim or their claim status on social media or provide their Social Security Number (SSN) or unemployment claim number to people on social media who offer to help resolve their issues. Claimants also should not agree to pay a private firm or individual to file for unemployment insurance benefits on their behalf or file a claim in a crowded setting where someone can steal their data by looking over their shoulders.
BPD says you are a victim of this scam if you receive information in the mail from the Department of Labor (DOL) about an unemployment claim you did not file or if your employer receives notice of an unemployment claim filed in your name. If you are a victim, another concern is that your SSN and possibly other personal information has likely been compromised. You will need to act immediately to report and secure your finances. All unemployment fraud also needs to be reported since unemployment benefits are taxable income.
If you are a victim, contact your employer about the fraudulent claim, they will likely receive something from the DOL. You also need to contact the Idaho DOL by calling 877-540-8638 or email Fraud@labor.idaho.gov. A police report should be filed by calling non-emergency dispatch or online, as well as filing an identity theft complaint with the FTC. The activity needs to be reported to the credit bureaus and a fraud alert placed or your credit frozen.
Boise Police recommends running your credit report to look for fraudulent activity.
