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Employment Security Department’s benefits programs — such as unemployment benefits and paid family and medical leave — are designed to support workers when they need help the most. Our agency’s fraud management team works every day to ensure these vital resources remain available for those who need them.
Thanks to the work of our investigators, Employment Security has reduced imposter fraud loss in our Unemployment Insurance program from 13.28% during the COVID-19 pandemic to .01% in 2025. Imposter fraud is when someone steals another person’s identity to get benefits.
This International Fraud Awareness Week, we’re shining a spotlight on how together we can protect the integrity of our programs.
Defining fraud
Fraud can be:
- Someone uses another person’s personally identifiable information (PII) to establish a claim.
- A business intentionally does not register with the state or pay its fair share of taxes.
- Someone knowingly provides false information to us to try to receive benefits.
How Employment Security combats fraud
Our agency uses fraud detection tools, crossmatching and data analytics to identify and stop fraud. We also work with law enforcement to pursue prosecution when necessary.
Here’s how you can help
You are our first line of defense. You can make a difference by:
- Protecting your personal information. Never share your Social Security number or any login credentials.
- Reporting suspicious activity. If you suspect fraud has occurred, report it on our reporting scams and fraud page.
- Staying informed. Visit our identifying unemployment scams page to learn how to recognize common scams and phishing attempts. We will never ask for your information via text or social media.
Preventing fraud takes all of us. During Fraud Awareness Week and every week, let’s stay alert and informed, so we can help protect vital benefits and maintain the integrity of the system for everyone.