Unemployment Fraud? How to protect yourself as a claimant.

Unemployment fraud is a serious problem. That problem has only increased since COVID-19. It is critical for claimants to know the importance of protecting themselves from unemployment fraud in North Carolina and across the country.

If you receive mail regarding unemployment benefits you didn’t ask for, or if you apply for unemployment and are denied due to a request already made in your name, report it to the N.C. Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security (NCDES). The most ideal way to forestall unemployment fraud is to safeguard your personal and monetary information. Listed below are important steps for avoiding fraud for unemployment.

Be careful with phishing tricks. Never click on a link from an obscure email sender. Assuming that you do, online scammers can infect your PC with malware and take your data.

Safeguard your personal. Never give out your Social Security number, bank information, or other individual information except if you’re certain of where it’s going. Assuming that scammers get their hands on this data, they can utilize it to commit fraud in your name.

Monitor your PINs and passwords. Try not to use simple passwords or pins that are available. Utilize different passwords for various records, and change your passwords routinely.