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1 • Thursday, January 19, 2017 - The Independent
Bensenville
387796
TAKE ONE
Independent
H A P PY
also serving Wood Dale
VOL. 17 • NO. 34
WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM
THURSDAY, JAN. 7, 2021
Unemployment benefits fraud rampant across the state Local residents victims as well
By Mike Sandrolini STAFF REPORTER
There has recently been a rash of incidents known by police as, “Unemployment benefits identity theft.” Record numbers of Illinoisans have filed for unemployment since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March. On the flip side, however, hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois—among them area residents—have fallen victim to fraudulent unemployment claims. Using a one-week period (Dec. 8-15) as an example, the Lombard Police Department reported more than 50 incidents of identity theft with offenders using a victim’s personal information to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The IDES said that as of late November, more than 212,000 fraudulent claims for unemployment had been filed since March 1. IDES acting director Kristin Richards, told NBC Channel 5 News that the IDES has been experiencing fraud “in an order of magnitude we’ve never seen before.” Police Chief Roy Newton said the Lombard Police Department has been receiving around 50 calls per week from residents reporting incidents of unemployment benefits fraud in which they have been victimized. Those incidents have spiked in recent weeks, he said. “When [unemployment] benefits first started after passing of the stimulus [referring to the $2 trillion CARES Act in late March], we found that most reports [of unemployment fraud] were against those 70 and
older,” he said. “Now the wave has switched, and it is affecting all ages, so there have been considerable spikes in the last four weeks.” Newton, in fact, said he was a victim of unemployment benefits fraud earlier last month. When asked how someone may discover he or she has become a victim of unemployment benefits fraud, Newton explained it can happen one of a few ways: “Their own employer may contact them and advise them that their business received an application for unemployment,” he said. “This is the most common way. As for his particular case, Newton said, “The offender(s) made an application for benefits, and the unemployment office contacted the village to ensure that I am unemployed. Of course, I am not [unemployed], so the village then has to fight or dismiss the claim. “Some find out because they get a letter from the state or they get an actual benefit debit card in the mail. That means that their [personal] information was compromised. Finally, some are contacted by their fraud alert companies (such as Experian) that they may have purchased through their credit card or credit company.” Newton said he urges residents to contact the police department in the event that they have discovered they have become a victim of unemployment benefits fraud. “Although investigatively, there is not much we can do as a police agency, the persons’ credit card company—or credit fraud company that they have associated with their personal accounts—require residents to make a police report,” he said. “The reports also offer our residents a peace of mind that their case is documented, and then that allows them to
contact the credit companies to flag their accounts.” He added that victims should contact the IDES to report fraud although, he said, the state of Illinois “has not been very receptive to this.” “I contacted the state in my case and have yet to hear back [from them],” he noted. It is very unfortunate during our current crisis that criminals seize any opportunity to steal and gain from good people who are trying to survive and make do on reduced incomes. Attempts with current legislation brought forward
to reduce or waive bail and diminish penalties for criminals, particularly in this environment, is very disappointing.” Newton said unemployment benefits fraud could compromise a victim’s Social Security number and personal information “but generally that has not been the case.” He encourages victims to contact their credit bureaus “but unless compromised, I do not see the need to obtain new credit or debit cards. “But that is, in fact, a personal decision,” he added.
If you are a victim of unemployment benefits fraud, Newton also recommends that you continue to monitor your bank accounts and credit card bills for the next few months. “Sometimes there is a lag between the initial fraud and perhaps the usage of someone’s credit card,” he said. Richards told NBC Channel 5 News that anyone who has been a victim of unemployment benefits fraud is not liable for any unemployment paid in their name.
Inside:
Police Reports...........6 Classifieds..............13 Viewpoint.................8 Tax Notices.......15-19
Ready to serve
SUBMITTED PHOTO Bensenville Independent
These volunteer workers help sort, store and prepare boxes of food to be distributed among local residents who need them. The number of those in need continues to multiply every week, as the nation fights the coronavirus.
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