Hi Robert,
False Unemployment claims were made under my name/ssn number and a few clients in 2021. When I discovered someone falsely applied for Unemployment Benefits under my name, I filled out a form online:
https://apps.labor.ny.gov/IndividualFraudReporting/
"This form is to report unemployment insurance (UI) fraud against the Department of Labor and/or identity theft related to UI. The information you provide in this form will remain confidential. If you are reporting an individual or business for fraud, you may remain anonymous. However, we would like to contact you if we need more information. Thank you for helping us fight fraud."
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After completing the form, you'll receive an email like this:
From: no-reply@labor.ny.gov <no-reply@labor.ny.gov>
To: Marc Lusthaus <marc@lusthauscpa.com>
Subject: Labor Fraud Reporting Form - Reported Fraud
This email is to confirm that the Department of Labor has received your complaint that a claim for unemployment insurance benefits was fraudulently filed using your identity.
We have taken action or will be taking action to stop this fraud. The false claim will be fully cleared and will not affect your ability to claim unemployment benefits should you need to apply for them at a later time.
If we need any additional information, we will contact you directly. If determined to be the result of fraud, the matter will be referred to law enforcement. If law enforcement needs anything from you, they will call you. You do not need to further contact the DOL.
We recommend you take steps to protect your identity by visiting https://identitytheft.gov/ and following the instructions provided. [note – Spanish language version at https://robodeidentidad.gov/]
Finally, if you do in fact need to file a claim for unemployment benefits, please call 1-888-209-8124. You will be required to provide proof of identity.
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When filing the 2021 Tax Returns, I attached a copy of this Email Response, the 1099-G, and an Explanation to the Federal & State tax returns. The Fed did not balk, but NY sent a notice anyway. So, I replied online with the same documents and explanation. Eventually, all was resolved.
Good Luck!
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Marc Lusthaus
CPA
ROBERT S. LUSTHAUS, CPA PC
Plainview NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2023 10:21 AM
From: Robert Brown
Subject: Fraudulent Unemployment Claims
I have a client who received 1099-Gs for 2021. Anyone have contact info for anything other than the automated system.
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Robert Brown
Adeptus Partners LLC
Jericho NY
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