Even though there has been no data breach at Iowa WorkForce Development (IWD), they are reporting increases in fraudulent activity related to unemployment insurance. This includes claims filed using stolen identities or unauthorized access to an individual’s account and even computer-generated claims from a single employer that exceeds the number of employees. As a national issue, IWD is working closely with the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and other states around the country to share information regarding known bad actors or methods of attack. Criminal organizations are using highly sophisticated algorithms and programs to attack states’ unemployment systems and are obtaining identity information from many sources, such as fraudulent phishing scams or recent large-scale private sector breaches that included private information from millions of individuals. IWD is urging everyone to safeguard their personal information and to be on the lookout for suspicious activity related to unemployment claims. Indicators include: a mailing notifying you of a claim in your name when you haven’t filed one; a 1099-G stating you have unemployment insurance income when you have not filed in the last calendar year; an unsolicited fact-finding call or notice from IWD; a notice from your employer saying they have received notice of an unemployment claim; or anything you suspect as fraudulent banking activity in your name. Those who believe they have been a victim of unemployment fraud should report it to IWD through the contact methods included below.
______________________________
Contact IWD:
- Email: Ulfraud@iwd.iowa.gov
- Phone: 866-239-0843
- Web form: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/report-potential-unemployment-claimant-fraud
Additional information through the United States Department of Labor:
