Reporting scams or fraud

We take unemployment benefits fraud seriously. If you think someone has applied for benefits using your information, report it to us.

Watch for these signs of fraud

Unemployment benefits fraud happens when someone illegally files a claim using your information. If you think someone applied for unemployment benefits using your information, report it.

Watch for these signs:

  • You get a letter from us that you were not expecting.
  • We notify your employer about your unemployment benefits application, but you did not apply.
  • You get a 1099-G tax statement that includes unemployment benefits you never received.
  • You are notified about a change to your banking or contact information that you did not approve.

Before reporting fraud

Reporting fraud will lock your eServices account and delay payments. Before submitting a report, be aware of common issues that people mistake for fraud:

  • Are you unable to log into your eServices account? Visit the sign-in help page.
  • Did we send you a message about overpayment? Do not report fraud. Instead, you can appeal that decision if you disagree with it.
  • Not sure how to respond to a message from Employment Security? Use the contact information in the message to get help.
  • Did you get a message from an unemployment agency in a different state? Report possible fraud with the unemployment agency in that state. Find state agencies at CareerOnestop.

How to report fraud

Use our fraud reporting form. You will need to provide:

  • Your full name.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • Your address.
  • Your date of birth.
  • How you discovered someone filed a claim using your information.
  • Whether you give us permission to deny and cancel the fraudulent claim.

How to report fraud or misconduct unrelated to your own benefits

Use our fraud and misconduct form if:

  • Someone is claiming unemployment benefits and shouldn't be.
  • An ESD employee is engaging in misconduct.

You need to provide:

  • The person's name.
  • Information to help us identify them.
  • Why you suspect fraud or misconduct.

How employers can report on behalf of employees

  1. Download the benefit fraud employer reporting template (XLSX, 17KB) .
  2. Enter the employee's information.
  3. Upload to our employer fraud reporting page.

Workplace poster about fraud

Download for your workplace:

How fraud affects employers' unemployment tax rates

Unemployment taxes in Washington have 2 parts:

  • An experience rating tax based on how many former employees receive unemployment benefits.
  • A social tax not related to a specific employer.

When an employee experiences fraud, their employer's experience rating tax will not increase. But fraud might increase the social tax for all employers.

After reporting fraud

You will receive:

  • An automatic reply when you report fraud.
  • An email from us about what to do if you cannot access your account or apply for benefits.

You do not owe us any money because of fraud unless you received benefits through fraud. We will ask you to repay those benefits.

You can still apply for benefits after reporting fraud. We can tell which claim is correct.

Protecting yourself after identity theft

If you think someone stole your information, you can:

What we do to fight fraud

We detect fraud in several ways:

  • Our system finds signs of fraud.
  • We compare our data with other sources, including a national fraud detection system.
  • You report fraud to us.
  • Your employer reports fraud to us.

Our Office of Special Investigations audits claims to ensure we pay benefits correctly. If we catch someone committing fraud, they:

  • Will pay penalties.
  • Will repay the benefits.
  • May be charged with crimes.

To prevent fraud, we:

  • Work with other states and the federal government to cross-match data.
  • Use best practices for information security.

Getting back stolen benefits

We work with law enforcement and financial companies to get the money back and catch the people who stole it.

Relevant laws and rules

Go to the Washington State Legislature's website to read: