NJDOL Stops $1.2B in Fraudulent Unemployment Benefits, Urges Vigilance
NJ Labor Dept. Urges Employers, Workers to Remain Vigilant Against Attempted Fraud
$1.2B in Bogus Payments Thwarted During Pandemic
TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has blocked at least $1.2 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims from being paid since COVID-19-related applications deluged the state’s system in March. This week – national Fraud Awareness Week – the Department issued a new warning to employers and workers that cases of unemployment fraud are rising across the country.
New Jersey has been lauded for its anti-fraud efforts nationally, and was largely spared from the sophisticated offshore fraud rings that crippled the unemployment systems of other states during the pandemic. Recently, however, many states including New Jersey have reported an uptick in identity theft and phishing scams that can, if not caught, delay benefits to legitimate claimants and negatively affect the experience ratings of employers.
“We are urging every business owner to review their quarterly benefits reports from our department and to be disciplined and vigilant about reporting any inconsistencies to us immediately,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “In addition to sophisticated anti-fraud measures we have in place, we need you to be our partners in preventing fraud so we stay two steps ahead of these criminals and you don’t suffer financially.”
The overwhelming majority of attempted fraud is the result of previous, well-known national and international data breaches. The Labor Department’s systems have not been breached and remain secure.
The commissioner encourages New Jersey workers to notify the department immediately if they receive communication from the Labor Department that does not apply to their situation, such as if they get a letter to schedule an appointment but they did not apply for benefits, or if their direct deposit account information is changed without their knowledge.
Claimants should be alert to possible fraud, should use strong passwords to protect their accounts, and should not share those passwords with others. Employers should heed notices of unemployment claims by people who are actually on the payroll.
The easiest way to report cases of suspected fraud are to visit our online portal here: https://myunemployment.nj.gov/help/contact-us/reportfraud/
You can also call our fraud hotline at (609) 777-4304 or fax (609) 292 5593.
Mirroring the success other states have reported in combatting identity theft, the New Jersey Labor Department has added data validation features to its online unemployment benefits application. It has also added cyber crime specialists to answer more fraud-related calls.
“It’s important for New Jerseyans to know that we are doing everything in our power to keep even one fraudulent payment from going out the door, to protect businesses from having to pay more for unemployment,” said Asaro-Angelo. “Any time there is a large increase in claim volume, attempted fraud goes up as well. We have increased our anti-fraud resources to catch these criminals in their tracks. Now we’re asking the public to increase their vigilance as well.”
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Need to check those Jews in lakewood
Advice for you moron:
1. get a time machine
2. go back to 1938
3. join the nazi party
4. stay there and die
NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR THIS SELF CONGRATULATORY PUFF SLOP . THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITHOUT FOOD OR MONEY TO PAY BILLS, MORTGAGE UTILITIES. NJ UNEMPLOYMENT IS AN EMBARRASSMENT.
THERE ARE NO F***ING JOBS AVAILABLE IN THE MIDST OF A F****ING PANDEMIC.
THESE IMBECILES WANT A PAT ON THE BACK WHILE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO SUFFER.
NOTHING WORKS, THE AGENTS ARE LAZY UNEDUCATED CHIMPS WHO COULD CARE LESS.
NOBODY HAS ANSWERED THE PHONE FOR OVER EIGHT MONTHS.
THE SYSTEM SAYS YOUR ELIGIBLE FOR EXTENSION BUT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO CERTIFY WEEKLY.
NOBODY ANSWERS, NOBODY CARES. IT JUST GOES ON AND ON WEEK AFTER MISERABLE WEEK INTO THE HOLIDAYS.
NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR HOW GOOD NJDOL IS AT STOPPING ‘FRAUDULENT’ CLAIMS, WHEN THEY CANNOT OR WILL NOT, ADDRESS THE VALID CLAIMS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CLAIMANTS.
SOON PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET VIOLENT.
WHERE IN GODS NAME IS THE COMMON F***ING SENSE??????????
The fraud that should be looked into is the fact that multiple sources are now saying that murphy has spent the unemployment fund on pet projects and keeping the unions happy, and is covering up the fact that he needs a federal bailout to save his ass.