As we continue to live through the evolving challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, organized crime rings have taken advantage of vulnerable people. Many people are filing for unemployment across the country, but unbeknownst to them, filing for unemployment may leave them susceptible to identity theft. For individuals already struggling with financial insecurity, the consequences of identity theft can be devastating. If you’ve been the victim of unemployment identity theft, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Unemployment Identity Theft
Unemployment identity theft refers to the fraudulent use of your personal information, including personal data such as your social security number, date of birth, and credit card information to obtain unemployment benefits. Since many people have lost their jobs due to the global pandemic, states have noticed an increase in suspicious activity related to claims for unemployment benefits. Organized crime rings have filed fraudulent unemployment claims to collect benefits under stolen identities. It is a troubling trend, and it’s paramount that people watch for signs of unemployment identity theft.
Warning Signs
If you’ve been negatively affected by COVID-19, the last thing you need is a thief using your information for their self-interest. If you’re worried that you’ve been the victim of unemployment identity theft, it’s important to be aware of the signs. To gain a clearer understanding if you’ve been the victim of unemployment identity theft, watch out for the following activities:
- Mail that contains information about unemployment claims or payments that you didn’t file
- An unexpected IRS Form 1099-G that includes information about unemployment benefits you were not aware of
- Unsolicited payments or debit cards from any state
- A notice from your employer stating that they received a request for information regarding an unemployment claim in your name
Steps of Action
- Check Your Credit Report
- Check your credit report the moment you realize you’ve been the victim of identity theft. Go through your reports carefully and check for any suspicious activity, including false names, addresses, phone numbers, unrecognizable accounts, or lenders you don’t recognize that pulled your credit. You can obtain your official credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Set up a Defense
- Make sure to set up a strong defense once you’ve confirmed the issue. Filing a defense and hiring an identity theft lawyer will help prevent damage to your credit, harassment by debt collectors, and even lawsuits against you by creditors or debt buyers who are trying to get a judgment against you for the fraudulent accounts. (Yes, there is a market for purchasing and selling fraudulent credit card accounts).
- File a Police Report
- Filing a police report will solidify that you’re a victim, not a debtor. It can also help halt and possibly catch the identify thief while they’re still active, assuming no one is onto their con.
Work With an Experienced Consumer Protection Lawyer
If you’ve been the victim of unemployment identity theft, don’t wait to reach out for help. Our experienced attorneys at Holland Law Firm are ready to defend you and help clean up the mess that identity theft can leave.
Please contact us to learn how an identity theft lawyer can help you.