Kent Police sent out a notice Wednesday, May 13, about what people can do if they are a victim of unemployment fraud.
“As our region and nation are seeing an unprecedented number of legitimate unemployment claims, there are also a very large number of fraudulent unemployment benefit claims being filed,” according to a Kent Police Facebook post.
If you become aware of or suspect you have been a victim of unemployment fraud, you should report it to the Washington State Employment Security Department on its website or call 800-246-9763.
Employers can file on behalf of their employees by filling out an online template here: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployment-benefits-fraud
After you have reported to the Employment Security Department, file an online Kent Police report to make us aware of the fraud by visiting: https://www.kentwa.gov/residents/public-safety/police-department/file-a-police-report-online/fraud
You can further report suspected employment-related fraud to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), information is available at their website: www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/employment-related-identity-theft.
Editor’s note: This information was updated May 18.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
