Report Fraud & Identity Theft
The Department of Labor & Industry’s (L&I) security vendor ID.me has identified additional phishing attempts and fraud scams leveraging social media, text messaging, and email to lure unsuspecting individuals into providing personal information so that the scammers can claim their identity for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
The most recent scams include but are not limited to telling individuals they’ve won contests, won a cash prize, being eligible for monetary award for applying for benefits or offering an alternative or “faster” application or mobile app to apply for regular unemployment or PUA benefits.
This is just the latest of attempts from scammers to use personal information to apply for benefits, similar to the large fraud attempt in June in which L&I mailed the
Notice of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Claim Filed to all claimants in the PUA system to provide further guidance if they did not submit a PUA application. This guidance still applies if you believe you have been targeted in the latest phishing attempts or scams.
If you were a victim of ID Theft, it is very important to report the PUA fraud activity to the Department and return the money. Doing so will remove these fraudulent payments from being reported as income on the end of the year 1099G distribution.
Report PUA Fraud
Returning Checks for Benefits for Which You Did Not Apply:
Anyone who receives a paper check in the mail and did not file for
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in Pennsylvania should not cash the checks. Cashing the checks knowing that you have not applied for PUA or any other UC program may be deemed fraud and repayment will be required.
The checks should be returned to:
Department of Treasury Comptroller’s Office
Attn: Mark Accorsi
Room 113, Finance Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Please include a brief signed statement with the reason you are returning the check and include your printed name, address, last four of your social security number, phone number and email address.
To Return a Direct Deposit for Benefits for Which You Did Not Apply:
Anyone who receives a PUA direct deposit and did not file for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania should not use the funds. Using the funds knowing that you have not applied for PUA or any other UC program may be deemed fraud and repayment will be required.
The funds should be returned to:
Department of Labor and Industry
651 Boas St, Room 500
Harrisburg, PA 17121
Payments must be made by personal check, cashier's check, certified check, or money order to the “PA UC Fund”. Please include a brief signed statement with the reason you are sending in the payment and include your printed name, address, last four of your social security number, phone number and email address.
What To Do If You Receive A UC-issued Debit Card for Which You Did Not Apply:
Constituents who have received a US Bank ReliaCard in error should not activate the card. To aid Treasury’s internal investigation operations and prevent a fraudulent expenditure of Commonwealth funds, any person who erroneously receives a US Bank ReliaCard should follow one of the procedures below:
Email a picture of the back of US Bank ReliaCard or the number on back of the card, not the front. Please also include the following in your email:
- the individual’s name,
- phone number; and
- email address.
Email the debit card picture and above information to the PA Treasury Office of Investigations at officeofinvestigations@patreasury.gov. The card can then be destroyed.
OR
- Return the US Bank ReliaCard by mail to the address below:
Department of Treasury Comptroller’s Office
Attn: Mark Accorsi
Room 113, Finance Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Report Identity Theft
If you Suspect or Know that Someone is Using your Personal Information such as your name, Social Security number, or date of birth Without your Knowledge or Consent to File for UC Benefits
Online: Complete and submit the Identity Theft form to report when someone has filed for UC benefits using personal information such as your name, Social Security number, and date of birth without your knowledge or consent.
Phone: Call the
PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469, review the Identity Theft form above to ensure you have all the information prepared to provide your report.
You may also want to file a police report with the municipality you resided in at the time the unemployment benefits in question were paid. A copy of the police report must be provided to the Office of Unemployment Compensation.
Report Unemployment Claims Fraud
If you know of individuals who are collecting UC benefits illegally, including people who are working and not reporting their wages for PA UC benefit purposes; or people who cannot work due to an illness, disability or incarceration.
Online: Complete and submit the Unemployment Claims Fraud form to report individuals collecting Pennsylvania UC benefits illegally. This may include persons who are working and not reporting their wages for PA UC benefit purposes; or persons who cannot work due to an illness, disability or incarceration.
Phone: Call the
PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469, review the Unemployment Claims Fraud form above to ensure you have all the information prepared to provide your report.
Report Unemployment Tax Fraud
Online: Complete and submit the Unemployment Tax Fraud form to report employers who evade UC taxes. This type of fraudulent conduct may include:
- Payment of wages under the table
- Failure to register as an employer with the Department of Labor & Industry
- Failure to report all employees or wages paid
- Assisting an employee in filing a fraudulent claim for UC benefits
Phone: Call the PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469, review the Unemployment Tax Fraud form above to ensure you have all the information prepared to provide your report.
Mail or Fax: Report fraudulent activity regarding Pennsylvania unemployment compensation benefits or unemployment taxes. You may remain anonymous or give your name and a way to be contacted if additional information is needed.
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Internal Audits
PO Box 786,
Greencastle PA 17225
Fax: 717-593-0265
While we appreciate your information, the Pennsylvania UC Law prevents the Department of Labor & Industry from disclosing an investigation or its results. However, we investigate all allegations that contain sufficient information to identify the suspected wrongdoer and the questionable activity.
More Information: