watch the thematic video
Kentucky still seeing 'massive' amount of fraudulent unemployment claims, official says
Delayed or missing unemployment benefits aren't the only issues Kentucky officials are dealing with, they're also being hit with fraudulent claims.
The commonwealth joins states across the country in finding more and more fraud with the pandemic still impacting people and www bbt com mobile season only just beginning.
In an update during Thursday's COVID-19 briefing, Amy Cubbage, who has been overseeing Kentucky's unemployment process, sought to provide some updates on how the state is fighting back against the fraud, and other issues impacting unemployed residents.
Cubbage said one of the biggest issues has been fraudsters trying to apply for unemployment on behalf of someone else. She even said that she received a notice of potential benefits in the mail, meaning someone was trying to receive unemployment benefits under her name.
Cubbage described the extent of unemployment benefits-related fraud as "massive," especially with the recent extension of pandemic unemployment assistance.
One of the ways Kentucky is fighting back these fraudulent claims is by verifying that the person applying for unemployment is, in fact, the person applying. She said the state is finding instances in which a person receives a notice of potential benefits in the mail, but through identification verification, the state can determine it was a fraudulent request.
According to Cubbage, more than 68,000 emails have been sent out to people letting them know their claims bank of america unemployment debit card ky be processed because the state can't verify identifications. She said in some instances, it's because claimants haven't uploaded necessary documents.
For actual claimants who receive emails letting them know their claims can't be processed, Cubbage said they should follow the appeals deadlines in the document. Claimants can then file an appeal and get their identities verified.
Other people who receive fraudulent filings can email [email protected] to let the state know that a claim was fraudulently filed under their name. The system will then mark that down as fraudulent.
The fraudulent claims are just one of the instances hitting states across the country. With tax season beginning, some people are receiving surprise 1099-G forms, which show people the benefits they received so they can report the income on their tax returns. For people who receive them and never received unemployment, it's a sign that someone stole their personal information and used it to claim benefits.
Related: Surprise tax forms show extent of unemployment fraud in US
It's unclear how widespread that issue is in Kentucky, but the fraud is so widespread that California issued payments to someone using the name of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and in Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, his wife, Fran, and Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted all learned that fraudulent claims were filed in their names.
Now, unemployment agencies could face another onslaught — this time from people requesting corrected tax forms.
Last month, the IRS said it is likely that many victims won't be able to get a corrected tax form in time to file their federal taxes. In those community savings bank bethel ohio, the IRS says taxpayers should ignore the 1099-G and file their taxes without reporting the fraudulent income.
In Kentucky, Cubbage said people who can't get corrected tax forms in time should instead report td auto finance td bank they believe is the correct amount. The Kentucky unemployment website has more information on how to do this correctly.
Cubbage also spoke about an update to Bank of America cards for unemployment benefits.
Claimants that did not change their method of payment from debit card to direct deposit in their UI account were automatically moved Feb. 1 to receive their benefits by paper checks that will arrive in the mail. If claimants still have UI debit cards, the funds must be spent off the cards no later than Feb. 28.
“If you have bank of america unemployment debit card ky on the debit card after Feb. 28, Bank of America will return those funds to the state and then our staff will process them back out to you with a paper check,” Cubbage said.
Check out the video above for the latest on unemployment benefits in Kentucky.
Kentucky warns unemployment filers to double-check payment info after reports of hacking
David Rice first got suspicious when his unemployment check didn’t hit his bank account last week.
He eventually reached a Kentucky unemployment office worker over the phone who told him his most recent benefits were deposited – into an account at a bank he doesn’t do business with.
His direct deposit banking information had been changed, a sign his account had likely been “hacked,” he said the employee told him.
Rice said he isn’t sure how his banking account information could have been changed and he’s not sure if he’ll see the hundreds in benefits that have apparently gone to a “Michael something,” he said.
Future benefits will now come via paper check, Rice said he was told, and his situation would be reported to management.
“I want some answers,” Rice said. “We’re talking about $800 here.”
Dozens of people have shared similar circumstances to Rice's this week in online social media groups dedicated to unemployment.
Shortly after this story first published Friday evening, the Kentucky Labor Cabinet said in a press release it had suspended unemployment insurance claimants' ability to change their bank account information, citing reports of unauthorized changes.
"Every UI claimant receiving direct deposits from (the Office of Unemployment Insurance) should log into their account immediately and check their payment method on file," the release says. "If it appears incorrect, they should opt to receive future payments via paper check."
The cabinet, which oversees the state’s unemployment office, noted all new unemployment benefit filers will be receiving payments via paper check, effective immediately.
The Labor Cabinet said no security breach or other type of compromise had occurred. Rather, it pointed to criminals exploiting "unsophisticated" PIN numbers as well as publicly available personal information.
It’s unclear how many benefit claimants could be affected, though the cabinet said it believes "these instances are isolated," not systemic, and are part of "the next wave of fraudulent activity hitting UI systems nationwide."
The state did not provide any numbers on how many reports of unauthorized changes it has received.
The Labor Cabinet issued its warning shortly before 8 p.m. Friday, after cabinet spokespeople did not respond to Reader's Watchdog emails seeking comment about the issue on Thursday and Friday afternoon.
In recent months, the state has reported being inundated with fraudulently filed claims, likely the work of organized criminals using personal information sold online.
But until Friday evening, state officials had not issued specific warnings about individuals’ personal information being changed in their online accounts.
Unemployment and taxes:From unemployment to new deadlines, here are some tax changes every Kentuckian should know
Another affected Kentuckian, Faye Craft, said she discovered this week that her husband’s direct deposit information had been altered.
His claim is still being reviewed by the state and is not yet being paid on, but she logs into his account every two weeks to request benefits as instructed.
This week, however, the system told her it didn’t recognize his Social Security number and four-digit personal identification number, or PIN.
She was able to reset the PIN but then saw the phone number and email account associated with her husband’s account had been changed.
She fixed those, but then noticed her husband’s banking information had been changed and was now linked to an account holder named Alicia and Bonneville Bank, the same bank Rice was told his funds had gone to.
Craft attempted to change the banking information online, she said, but the system told her she must contact the unemployment office.
“I’ve been trying to get ahold of unemployment, but I haven’t been bank of america unemployment debit card ky to get ahold of anybody,” she said Friday.
Both Rice and Craft said they recently created new accounts on the state’s unemployment website, part of a public-facing facelift.
The state announced in mid-March it was unveiling a new log-in and account home screen, which was billed as more user friendly and secure.
This new interface prompted users to create a new account, requiring them to create a complex password.
As of March 25, more than 24,500 people had registered with the new site, according to the state.
Reader's Watchdog:'Kick in the stomach': Kentucky worker wins unemployment appeal then learns program out of cash
Though Rice and Craft said they don’t know the source of their issues, they noted their problemsonly started after creating their new accounts, which they thought would help make the process more secure.
“I’m just frustrated,” Craft said. “They should have had better control over this by now. It’s been over a year. People shouldn’t have to keep facing all this. It’s one thing after another.”
State officials have encouraged benefit recipients to change their four-digit PIN every 30 days to help fight fraud, avoiding simple number sequences such as “1234” as well as numbers connected to other personal information, such as addresses or birth dates.
In the Friday news release, the state said it would now require all existing and new benefit filers to create more complex PINs.
The state also has set up an online form on its website to report suspected fraud.
Elizabeth Kuhn, spokeswoman for the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, said the office has received reports of suspected identity theft related to unemployment insurance benefits, though she didn’t specify the volume or timing of the reports.
She also noted that as of Friday, the unemployment office hadn’t reported a bank of america unemployment debit card ky breach to the attorney general’s office, which it would be required to do under state law within 72 hours of discovering a breach.
Kuhn pointed Kentuckians to a page on the office’s website, ag.ky.gov/identity-theft, for identity-theft information.
"We also encourage Kentuckians to select passwords and login information for their account that are not related to personal information (i.e. birthdates, last four digits of their Social Security number, etc.)," she said in an email. "When personal information is used, it makes it easier for a scammer to access an individual’s account."
The Labor Cabinet said it was working to verify the reports it's received "in recent days" and would "notify any affected claimants as appropriate."
The cabinet did not specifically address stolen payments in its statement.
Craft said she’s most concerned about her husband’s Social Security number seemingly being compromised. She, too, wonders when the state will respond to her email telling them about the apparent hack.
Rice said Thursday he wanted to know how this happened, what the state would be doing to fix it and whether he would be reimbursed.
"Being in limbo, not knowing," he said, "is a crock of ---."
This story may be updated.
Matthew Glowicki’s Reader's Watchdog column helps readers get answers and holds public officials, businesses and individuals to account. Contact him at [email protected], 502-582-4989 or on Twitter @mattglo.
Government prepaid debit cards
A cost-effective way for government agencies to disburse payments.
The U.S. Bank ReliaCard® is an easy way for government agencies to provide a simple, safe way to access funds. Dare county nc building codes cardholder questions, visit the U.S. Bank ReliaCard cardholder website.
ReliaCard: A reloadable prepaid debit card for government agencies
As a government agency, you need a simple and cost effective way to deliver timely payments. The ReliaCard is that solution, allowing you to efficiently disburse payments while your recipients can safely access their funds.
Benefits for your government agency
- Reduce costs associated with paper checks or vouchers, postage, reconciliation or replacement of lost checks
- Maximize electronic payments with direct deposit
- Complements your existing direct deposit processes
Benefits for your cardholders
- Convenience of funds automatically loaded to their card for as long as they remain eligible, so there’s no need to cash or deposit a check
- Make purchases or withdraw cash and get cash back at participating merchants anywhere Visa® or Mastercard® debit cards are accepted1
- Security if the card is lost or stolen with Zero Liability2
Why choose ReliaCard for government disbursements?
Savings
Streamline your administration and eliminate costly paper checks, postage and reconciliation.
Convenience
There's no need for recipients to have a bank account or pay check-cashing fees. Deposits are made automatically to the card, and funds are available for immediate use wherever Visa or Mastercard debit cards are accepted.
Extra value
We offer cardholders online and mobile access, alerts, in-network Bank of america unemployment debit card ky, online bill pay and customer service.
Security
We invest in the data security, fraud protection and compliance programs needed to protect cardholder security.
What type of government agencies can benefit from a prepaid card program?
- Child care
- Child support
- Health and human services
- Housing authorities
- Pension programs
- Personal income tax returns
- Temporary assistance for families best military bank accounts need
- Trade adjustment assistance
- Unemployment insurance
- Worker's compensation
Ready to get started?
The U.S. Bank ReliaCard is an easy way for government agencies to provide a simple, safe way to access funds. For cardholder questions, visit the U.S. Bank ReliaCard cardholder website.
Disclosures
walmart bakery austin tx Start of disclosure content
BS-047 ReliaCard licensing
ID.me Identity Verification
Who is ID.me?
ID.me is our federally-certified technology partner for secure digital identity san jose city college fall 2019 classes. ID.me helps make sure you’re you – and not someone pretending to be you – when you request access to your benefits.
Does ID.me keep my information secure?
ID.me uses bank-grade security infrastructure and federally-compliant information protection practices to safeguard your data.
How does ID.me use my information?
ID.me never shares user data with third parties unless they receive explicit consent from the user to do so – on a case by case basis – after the user has been appropriately authenticated. In fact, ID.me requires your explicit permission before they send your information to our agency.
Does this impact my credit score?
No. When ID.me verifies information about your credit history for identity verification there is no impact on bank of america unemployment debit card ky credit score and does not hurt your credit report in any way.
Why does ID.me ask for my social security number?
ID.me’s verification process requires collecting sensitive pieces of information, like your Social Security number (SSN). ID.me needs this informationin order to uniquely identify you, a critical step to prevent impersonation and fraud.
How do I verify my identity with ID.me?
In addition to entering your phone number for a mobile phone verification, you will have the option to either answer questions about your credit history or upload a photo of your government ID. If one or both of those methods does not work, you can verify your identity by speaking with a real person on a video call.
Why was my identity verification attempt unsuccessful?
There are several reasons why an identity verification attempt may be unsuccessful. One potential cause is that the information provided to ID.me does not match the authoritative sources they use for identity verification. Alternatively, an attempt may be unsuccessful if a user entered incorrect information or if the identity documents provided do not meet federal digital identity protection guidelines. If your first three verification attempts are unsuccessful, click on the “Verify identity on a video call” button to join a video call with an ID.me employee that is trained and certified to verify your identity.
What is a Trusted Referee video call?
If your self-service identity verification attempt was unsuccessful, you can verify your identity on a recorded video call with a Trusted Referee instead. This process consists of a short video call with a trained ID.me employee where you present acceptable documentation to verify your identity.
What documents do I need for the Trusted Referee video call?
You will need either two primary IDs or one primary and two secondary IDs. Please navigate to this link for a list of acceptable documents. Be sure to have these physical documents on hand before joining the video call.
ID.me is not processing the photos of my government ID. What should I do?
When taking a picture of your document, make sure all four corners are visible, turn off your flash to reduce glare, place your document on a dark surface, and match the orientation to the document (e.g., use landscape for driver’s licenses). If you’re still experiencing difficulties, Locate and click the “Verify identity on a video call” button to join a video call with a Trusted Referee.
How long does the Trusted Referee video call take?
Depending on the number of claimants attempting to verify their identity, the Virtual In-Person wait time can vary; however, once you jointhe video call session with an ID.me Trusted Referee, the verification process should take 15 minutes or less.
Why did I get a text message about unemployment verification?
You may have recently received a text message asking if you used ID.me to log in to your state unemployment agency. This is an automated alert from ID.me that is designed to protect your identity from unauthorized use.
- Do not take any action if you remember closest walgreens 24 hour pharmacy into ID.me.
- Reply "N" if you do not remember logging into ID.me. The ID.me account will be suspended and flagged for investigation.
I’ve Verified My Identity – What’s Next?
ID.me will notify the North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES) that your identity has been verified, and you will receive an email from DES with information about accessing your account for unemployment benefits.
Please allow up to 48 hours for this process to be completed. If you are still having trouble accessing your DES account after 48 hours has passed, you may contact the DES Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.
