Officials in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office have seen increasing calls about fraudulent unemployment claims.
Lindsey Hix is deputy director for the Office of Senior Protection. She says there were, on average, two to four inquiries per month prior to October. But Hix said there were eight in October, ten in November, and 17 in December. “Pretty much all of these cases the fraud has occurred and someone is receiving money in that person’s name,” said Hix.
Hix noted authorities are learning about fraudulent claims when employers of Kentuckians who haven’t filed for un-employment are contacted for verification. When this happens, victims should still contact the Kentucky Unemployment Office along with the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Labor. Hix said much effort in the Kentucky Unemployment Office focuses on proper filings. “I know they are very overwhelmed right now with all the legitimate unemployment claims since the pandemic started. So, I don’t know how long it’s taking them to actually stop the ones that they’ve determined are fraudulent,” said Hix.
Hix added it’s become more complicated during the pandemic because independent contractors are also eligible and such verification becomes more difficult.?
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