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Fraudulent Unemployment Claims

The State of Colorado is dealing with an influx of fraudulent unemployment claims. The State created a resource page where individuals can find information about unemployment fraud and instructions for what to do if an unemployment claim is fraudulently filed in their name.
 

Victim of Fraud or ID Theft image

 

The State advises that anyone who receives unemployment paperwork but did not file a claim, or otherwise believes they may be the victim of identity theft related to unemployment benefits, should fill out a fraud report. Individuals who receive a U.S. Bank Reliacard for Colorado unemployment benefits but did not file a claim should also fill out this U.S. Bank Form or call U.S. Bank immediately at 1-855-282-6161 to request the deactivation of the card.

The State also provides the following guidance:

  • Contact the three consumer credit bureaus and put a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number (SSN). It may be an automated system, so you may not talk to a live person and you will have to enter your SSN and date of birth.
     
  • Credit Bureau Contact Info:
    • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
    • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
    • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
       
  • Regularly review your credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus. Each will look different and may contain different information. If you discover any incorrect or fraudulent information on your credit report, you should dispute it with the credit bureau directly. Normally, you can receive one free copy of your credit report each year from each credit bureau. Due to increased fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, each of the three credit bureaus is offering free weekly credit reports via annualcreditreport.com.
     
  • File a fraudulent claim with the Colorado Department of Labor
     
  • File a police report. You can file a "counter report" with your local police department. As a victim, you have the right to file this report. It doesn't mean the police will investigate it, but there will at least be a record of it on file and you can get a copy of the report for your records.
     
  • Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. The FTC's website includes valuable resources about how to recover from identity theft and protect your identity.
     
  • Create a file where you can keep any records relating to this identity theft in one central place, in case you are notified of other fraud or breaches of your personal information.