By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) The nation wide unemployment scam targeting illegitimate unemployment claims is still a real threat to Massachusetts residents says the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Criminal enterprises are using stolen personal information from previous data breaches to file illegitimate unemployment claims in the state. To protect the system and claimants, the Department of Unemployment Assistance or DUA is using identity verification methods that may delay claims but will protect the integrity of the system.
“It is unfortunate that because of this criminal activity, people who really need our support may face delays in receiving the benefits they need,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta.
To date, DUA has recovered $158,000,000 in fraudulent claims in the state. There have been over 1,000,000 claims filed with 976,123 regular unemployment claims and 649,764 PUA claims.