NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 12, 2020

Media Contact: Darlene Carnopis, Darlene.carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is reminding people to be alert for identity theft related to unemployment insurance claims.

Scammers are attempting to file claims by using the names and personal information of people who have not filed. If you are notified by the Labor Department that a claim has been filed under your name when you did not file the claim, send an email to fraud@labor.idaho.gov. Do not include personally identifiable information such as a Social Security number in the email.

Employers who notice a claim has been filed for one of their employees who is still working, should also alert the department. A Labor employee will follow up with you for more information.

The Labor Department has been notified that claimants are being asked by people not affiliated with the department for their claim IDs on social media which could lead to identity theft. Claimants should never post images of their claims or provide their claim IDs on social media to anybody. The department does not charge a fee for filing for unemployment insurance benefits and will not ask for information such as Social Security numbers or claim IDs via social media.

If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, visit http://www.IdentityTheft.gov to report it and learn about additional resources available to help.

For more information on protecting yourself from an online crime, visit the Idaho Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division website or call 1-800-432-3545 (statewide) or (208) 334-2424.

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