Since January 1, Boise police have taken 40 reports from citizens who have had their identity stolen and used to file fraudulent claims.
How do you know if you are a victim of this fraud?
You receive information in the mail from the Dept of Labor about an unemployment claim you did not file, or your employer will receive notice of an unemployment claim filed in your name.
If you are the victim of this fraud, your social security number and possibly other personal information has been compromised, which means you need to act immediately to report and secure your finances. All unemployment fraud also needs to be reported since unemployment benefits are taxable income.
The fraudulent claims can impact taxpayers in the run-up to filing season. Taxpayers who receive unemployment insurance benefits get a form 1099-G to file along with their taxes. Many who were the victims of fraud could receive those forms this year.
What you need to do:
1) Contact your employer about the fraudulent claim (they will likely receive something from the Dept of Labor if they have not already).
2) Contact the Idaho Department of Labor (use their fraud reporting instructions, call (877) 540-8638 or email [email protected]).
3) File a police report, by calling non-emergency dispatch, 208-377-6790 or by filing on-line.
4) File an identity theft complaint with the FTC (www.FTC.gov).
5) Report the activity to the three credit bureaus – place a fraud alert or freeze your credit (Experian, Equifax, Transunion).
6) Run your credit report to look for fraudulent activity (www.annualcreditreport.com).
7) If you received a 1099-G form for benefits you did not receive, contact the state agency immediately.
Watch this week’s video with Boise Police Department Crime Prevention Supervisor Ed Fritz to hear more!
