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Be Alert of Fraudulent Unemployment Claims

 
  • There has been an increase in fraud targeting state unemployment insurance programs, including here in Massachusetts, and we want to ensure that you are able to protect yourself if necessary.
  • Within the UMass Chan Medical School system, we have received some reports where fraudulent unemployment claims have been submitted on behalf of UMass Chan employees to the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
  • If an unemployment claim has been filed in your name, it is possible that your Social Security number and other information may have been compromised.

What to do if you have been targeted

As the university is not able to file for unemployment on employees’ behalf, if an employee receives correspondence (either via U.S. Mail or email) from the DUA, such as a notice of application, an approval letter, a DUA debit card, or if you otherwise learn that an unemployment claim has been filed in your name, please follow the guidance provided below.

  1. Report fraudulent activity to UMass Chan HR Employee Relations at employee.relations@umassmed.edu.
  2. Submit a fraud report through the DUA Fraud Reporting Form or call the DUA at 877-626-6800. 
  3. File a police report with the local police department.*

*You may file a police report with your local police department (this is part of MGL 93H, the Mass data security law). The police department will then create a record, which you or UMass Chan can then provide to the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation, if needed. 

 

Other recommended steps to follow:

  1. Apply for a credit freeze at the three major credit bureaus:
    1. TransUnion - 1-800-680-7289
    2. Experian -  1-888-397-3742
    3. Equifax - 1-800-525-6285
  2. Contact your lenders and you can monitor information posted to your credit report by requesting their free weekly credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.**
  3. File your state and local taxes if you haven’t already in order to prevent fraudulent tax filings. Click here for additional steps.
  4. Speak with a tax advisor to see if it is advisable to file an Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039).

**Through myEquifax, consumers have access to an additional six free credit reports a year. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides consumers with the ability to provide a 100-word statement to their credit report, and to dispute any inaccuracies on their credit report.

What if you receive a 1099-G Form due to fraud

  • If unemployment insurance payments are actually made to the person who fraudulently made the claim, the money could be reported as your income and you would receive a 1099-G form at year end. 
  • If you received a 1099-G and you did NOT receive unemployment assistance benefits, please complete the secure form to alert the DUA.***

***If you file the fraud form with the DUA as identified above, you should not receive a 1099-G. However, employees who filed a fraud form in Massachusetts have received this tax form.

You may also want to:

  1. Notify banks, credit cards, health insurance, and others with personally identifiable information.
  2. Sign up for additional credit monitoring services.