Unemployment Identity Theft and Unemployment Fraud

Unemployment insurance fraud related to identity theft occurs when someone uses personal identifying information belonging to another individual to obtain unemployment benefits to which he/she is not entitled. The University of Michigan is one of many employers targeted for fraudulent unemployment claims by criminal enterprises. The university is working with the State of Michigan UIA Fraud Investigation Unit to help identify and mitigate fraudulent activity.

Report Identity Theft

If you suspect that you may be a victim of unemployment identity theft, report the crime immediately.

If you receive a prepaid debit card or other form of payment in the mail or your bank account for unemployment insurance benefits, but you did not file a claim, do not use the payment and report it to the State of Michigan UIA.

If you received an unemployment notice (letter) from the State of Michigan UIA, but did not file an unemployment claim, or, if you try to file an unemployment insurance claim and a claim has already been established in your name, then your personal identifying information may have been stolen and used fraudulently. You may have also received an email notification from University Human Resources stating that a fraudulent unemployment claim using your Social Security number has been protested by the University of Michigan. The email notification lists the steps below to take to report identity theft and recover a stolen identity. 

If you are notified by the State of Michigan UIA that you need to repay unemployment benefits or you received a debit card or payment when you did not file a claim, the following actions are recommended for identity theft recovery:

  • Complete the Statement of Identity Theft form (Form UIA 6349) and return it directly to the State of Michigan UIA Fraud Investigation Unit. When completing the form, check all four boxes, provide your current contact information, print and sign your name, and date the form. Submit the form even if you have previously submitted the statement of identity theft and/or if you previously reported the identity theft incident on the State of Michigan UIA’s website. Return the form by mail to: Unemployment Insurance, P.O. Box 169, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0169 or by fax to: (517) 636-0427.

  • Email the completed statement of identity theft form to the State of Michigan UIA’s Fraud Investigation Unit at: [email protected]. Within your email, indicate that you are submitting a Statement of Identity Theft (Form UIA 6349) and include the the following information:

    • That you did not file an unemployment claim.

    • That you believe that you were a victim of identity theft with regard to the unemployment claim.

    • Request the agency review the attached form.

    • Request the agency take appropriate action to remove your name and Social Security number from that claim.

    • Request the agency reverse the request for restitution (if applicable).

    • Request the agency issue a non-monetary determination (Form UIA 6348) holding this claim "null and void."

    • Keep copies of all correspondence involving the matter. A paper trail (record) that shows you took proper action to notify the State of Michigan UIA of the identity theft issue  is important in the event an issue arises with the State of Michigan UIA, the Michigan Department of Treasury, or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

  • Report the fraudulent claim on the State of Michigan UIA website. Scroll down to Report Identity Theft Now and then select "Report Identity Theft Now." On the right side of the page, under Online Services for Claimants, select "Report Identity Theft." Select "Individual" and complete the online Individual Identity Theft form. Enter all requested information and submit the form.

  • Call the State of Michigan UIA Claimant Hotline at (866) 500-0017. Navigate through the menu options by selecting options 9, 9, 1, and then 3. Report that you did not file a claim for unemployment and report the claim as fraudulent.

  • Review the recommended steps from the State of Michigan UIA: Protecting Unemployment Benefits from Identity Theft.

  • Complete the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Affidavit Form 14039. Indicate you are a victim of identity in Section B. Complete the explanation section and indicate that you were notified by your employer, the University of Michigan, that someone is using your personal information to file an unemployment claim. After you submit the form, the IRS will contact you and provide a PIN number. Use this PIN number when you file your income tax returns. This will help protect you from having anyone else file with the IRS using your name and social security number.

  • Review the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website, which lists step-by-step directions on what to do first for stolen identity and a recovery plan. Additionally, file an identity theft complaint with the FTC.

  • File a police report with your local police department by calling the non-emergency number, or file a police report with the University of Michigan DPSS at (734) 763-1131.

  • File a Consumer Complaint with the State of Michigan Department of Attorney General.

  • Request a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies on an annual basis through the FTC-approved website: AnnualCreditReport.com. Please note that a request for a free credit report can be made every four months by choosing only one of the three credit reporting agencies, rather than all three at the same time.

  • Implement a credit report fraud alert with one of the credit reporting services (each will notify the others) as soon as you find out about the fraudulent activity. The initial fraud alert is good for 90 days, and then you have to obtain a police report to extend it to seven years. If you purchase an identity theft protection service, the fraud alert may be part of their services.
    Add an Initial Fraud Alert to your Credit Report for 90 days:

Identity Theft Resources and Videos

Claimant Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Unemployment fraud occurs when a worker (claimant) conceals or misrepresents any eligibility information that can affect benefit entitlement. Some examples of unemployment fraud include, but are not limited to: submitting false information about employment status, submitting false information about earnings, and failing to report new employment including part time employment, including part time and temporary employment. Any and all gross wages earned must be reported on a weekly claim while collecting unemployment benefits. All wages must be reported on a weekly unemployment claim certification for the week in which the work was performed, not the week paid. 

Claimant Fraud Resources and Videos

Credit Monitoring Service Through the University of Michigan Legal Services Plan

You have access to credit monitoring and identity theft services through CyberScout if you are enrolled in the university’s legal services plan. If you are not enrolled, you may enroll during the annual open enrollment period.