Protect Yourself from EDD Fraud
What is the threat?
The federal government has extended Pandemic Relief through Unemployment Benefits and scammers have been using victim’s personal identifying information to fraudulently apply for and receive those benefits under the victim’s name. These benefits
are reported to the IRS as taxable income and will be taxed federally. If someone applies fraudulently under your name, you may be taxed on those benefits or subject to administrative or criminal investigations for Unemployment Insurance Fraud.
What can consumers do?
- Report False Claims
The best way to report false claims is by visiting Ask EDD and selecting the Report Fraud category
to submit a Fraud Reporting Form online. You can also fax 1-866-340-5484 or call the EDD Fraud Hotline at 1-800-229-6297 (for reporting fraud only).
- When reporting fraud:
Provide all relevant information about the issue. Include your name and phone number if you don’t want to remain anonymous. You will not receive a call from the EDD unless more information is needed.
Send any fraudulent documents or mail to EDD PO Box 826880, MIC 43, Sacramento, CA 94280-0225. You can also write “Return to Sender” on the envelope and provide it to your mail carrier. f you need to provide more information after
reporting fraud, contact the EDD again. Include the reference number provided when you first reported the issue. Note: To ensure the confidentiality and integrity of any investigation, the EDD does not provide status updates unless court-ordered
or required by law.
- Protect yourself from Identity Theft & EDD Fraud!
Check to see if there has been an account with EDD opened under your name without your permission. If it has, make a police report in the jurisdiction where you live immediately
and report that fraud to EDD at EDD.ca.gov. Also be vigilant and check your credit reports regularly through the Credit Agencies and immediately investigate any accounts in your name that you did not open. Make police reports if your identifying
information has been compromised even if you are not aware of any losses. You may even want to freeze your credit. Do this for your children as well. For tips to protect yourself from Identity Theft and EDD Fraud, click here. Prevention is the best protection.
