According to the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL), Unemployment Claim Fraud resulting from identity theft is on the rise, primarily impacting the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. Kansas has joined every state in seeing an increase in reports of fraudulent unemployment claims due to identity theft. In fact, the KDOL has stopped more than 100,000 fraudulent claims.
David Brown in Human Capital Services reported on this issue on Oct. 6 in K-State Today. Employees have expressed concerns about a breach of K-State systems. Our investigations have not indicated a breach of K-State systems.
How do scammers get your information and use the information to carry out fraud?
- Criminals cross-reference employment places for individuals with data collected from any of a number of data breaches over the years (Equifax, Heartland Payment Systems, etc.). As state employees, our information is publicly available. This type of attack is trivial for an experienced scammer and can net a considerable amount of money. Because the process is not technically difficult, we will continue to see fraudulent unemployment applications for the foreseeable future.
- K-State’s Division of Information Technology and our cybersecurity team monitor the situation and take action if we see a way to assist and help fight this attack. IT also constantly monitors systems and services for breaches.
What should you do if you become the victim of identity theft?
- Report identity theft: www.ReportFraud.ks.gov. When you report a suspected identity theft claim on the site, the system will generate a police report number and tips for victims to mitigate the theft’s damage.
- Notify all three major credit reporting bureaus.
- Request a “fraud alert” on your credit report.
- Contact your financial institutions.
- Create an account with Social Security Administration: www.SSA.gov and check your earnings record for suspicious activity.
- Notify Internal Revenue Service’s fraud hotline at 1-800-908-4490.
- Request a copy of your Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS.
- Report identity theft with the Federal Trade Commission: www.FTC.gov.
To learn more about unemployment fraud:
- View KDOL letter (pdf) written by the Acting Secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor
- Watch KDOL Stop Identity Theft-Related Unemployment Fraud webinar
(Download PowerPoint slides of the webinar)
The National Cybersecurity Alliance provides additional information and tips for protecting yourself.
With our focus on the pandemic, all of us are vulnerable to scams and fall prey to the promise of vaccines, stimulus checks, unemployment insurance, etc. Be safe online.
