Protect yourself from unemployment fraud

If you are not claiming unemployment benefits and have information that a claim was filed using your identity, you may be a victim of unemployment fraud. 

Unemployment fraud occurs when someone knowingly provides false or misleading information or withholds relevant information for themselves or another person, to obtain or increase benefits. Unemployment benefits fraud is punishable by law, both felony and misdemeanor, and violators could face serious penalties and consequences.

Steps You Should Take If You’ve Fallen Victim To Identity Theft:

1. Report the fraud to your employer.
2. Report the fraud to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) by visiting UI Fraud Submission Portal or emailing TWC.fraud@twc.state.tx.us or leaving a message at TWC Fraud Hotline at 800-252-3642.
3. Visit UI Fraud Submission Portal and provide identity documentation to TWC.
4. Notify the local authorities such as police or sheriff’s office and file a criminal report for identity theft. Read the Identity Theft Information Guide from the Texas Department of Safety.
5. Report fraud to the Texas State Auditor's Office.
6. Notify your banks and credit card companies and request a fraud alert to be placed on your file. Ensure that you are still able to access your account, but with alerts set up to monitor activity.
7. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and get help with next important recovery steps. Reporting to the FTC allows you to place a free, one-year fraud alert on your credit, get your free credit reports, and close any fraudulent accounts.
8. Report the fraud to one of the major credit agencies and request a fraud alert:

• Equifax:  To request a credit report: (800) 685-1111. To report fraud: (800) 525-6285 or write to P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 or website: www.equifax.com. 
• Experian: To request a credit report or report fraud: (888) 397-3742 or write to P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013 or website: www.experian.com. 
• Trans Union:  To request a credit report: (800) 888-4213.  To report fraud: (800) 680-7289; write to P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834; www.transunion.com or email: fvad@transunion.com.

9. Request a FREE credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com and determine if any other accounts were opened without your consent. Remember that you are able to review free credit reports on a weekly basis once you've reported the fraud to the FTC.

10. Notify the U.S. Passport Agency to prevent anyone from applying for a passport fraudulently in your name.