38 false unemployment claim fraud reports filed with Yorkville police since Oct. 1

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a loss of normalcy to the nation, and a loss of income through furloughs, layoffs and shutdowns. But along with those losses have come gains for others in the form of identity theft through unemployment fraud.

Yorkville Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Behr Pfizenmaier confirmed Wednesday, Nov. 4, that 37 cases of false filings of unemployment fraud had been reported to police in Yorkville since Oct. 1.

An additional case was reported to police Nov. 5, bringing the total to 38.

"Fraud and identity theft are really something that has been on the uptick in the last several weeks," Pfizenmaier said.

Over a two day period, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, Yorkville police took five separate reports of identity theft where an unknown person used a victim's identification to open an unemployment claim in the victim's name.

Police find out about the reports in different ways, Pfizenmaier said, similar to how victims find out that they are victims.

"There's different ways that our victims go about hearing it," he continued. "Sometimes they hear from their employer that a claim has been made of unemployment which is fictitious, so sometimes the employer will catch it first."

Some victims find out through mail from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), he added, calling them the two "most common" ways that victims find out that their name has been used.

Pfizenmaier advised victims of identity theft to contact their local police department, and IDES, as well as their employer. He also encouraged victims to run a credit check through a certified credit union to determine whether or not your credit has been tampered with.

"Unfortunately at this point we have no suspects," Pfizenmaier said, saying that it was not fully clear how identification information is gained by those filing the false claims.

Recently, Kendall County State's Attorney Eric Weis issued a press statement with advice for residents to protect themselves and a reminder to be vigilant.

Weis advised residents that if they see something that looks unusual, or receive information suggesting they or an employee has filed for unemployment insurance when there has been no change to employment status, they should promptly report that information, and take all necessary steps to protect identities and credit histories.

Weis also provided additional guidance for employers and employees to minimize damage caused by fraudulent claims.

Employers:

*Notify the employee and inquire whether they have filed for unemployment benefits.

*Notify the Illinois Department of Employment Securities (IDES) and file an objection, if appropriate.

*File a report with local law enforcement.

*Provide IDES and any law enforcement or investigative agency with the information they need to investigate the situation.

Employee:

*Notify your employer and IDES (even if you believe your employer has already notified IDES).

*File a report with local law enforcement.

*Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit report through one of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

*Obtain and review a copy of your credit report throughwww.annualcreditreport.com.You may receive one free copy per week through April of 2021.

*Review your financial account statements monthly, or more frequently, if possible.

*Consider placing financial alerts on your savings or checking accounts, so you will be notified of purchases in excess of a certain dollar amount.

*Be on the lookout for unusual activity or notices, such as a notice regarding a change on your account you did not make, and follow up with the business to correct and report the information.

Resources and Contact Information:

The following is a list of agencies that can provide more information and even provide assistance should you find yourself to be a victim of a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim.

Illinois Department of Employment Security. Contact promptly regarding suspected unemployment insurance fraud. Phone: 1-800-814-0513.

Consumer Fraud Bureau. Branch of the Illinois Attorney General's Office which assist individuals in avoiding and recovering financially from identity theft. Phone hotline: 1-866-999-5630.

Federal Trade Commission. The FTC provides resources for consumers and businesses. Phone: 1-877-382-4357.