ArticlesJust Laid Off? Start HereHow To Identify Unemployment Rip-Offs

How To Identify Unemployment Rip-Offs

Beware Unemployment Scams

Don’t Get Taken When You’re Down and Out

Face it: opportunists and scam artists are expert at roping unsuspecting and vulnerable individuals, even those in the unemployment line.

If you’ve been laid-off from work and need to file unemployment find out right  now how to access the real services that deliver your rightful unemployment benefits—free of charge.

You heard that right. If you are eligible to receive state-funded unemployment checks you don’t pay anything. Don’t be confused by online messages that try to dupe you into registering for a paid benefits filing service. You CAN apply and receive unemployment checks for free directly through your state unemployment office.

Tips for Recognizing Online “Unemployment” Scams

If you become unemployed through a job layoff you are eligible to apply for and receive unemployment compensation checks from your state government. This is your right. Your employer has paid into the federal tax system to ensure employees just like you are able to receive a percentage of your income so you can continue to provide for yourself and your family. You do not need to apply for obscure government “grants,” or pay for participation or membership in a “private” benefits filing service. Filing for state-funded unemployment compensation is free and it’s money to which you’re entitled.

Beware…

Words like “members” “membership” “paid filing” “private benefits filing” “benefits assistance” “filing assistance” “free unemployment grants” and similar terms should tip you off to possible scams designed to rip off innocent and out of work people like you.

Truth…

You have a right to unemployment pay from your state. Your employer paid taxes for those benefits to be made available to you in the event of your lay-off. You do not have to pay anyone to file your unemployment claim for you. If you need help and can’t find the answers here—visit the website for your state unemployment office and either get the answers there or call their telephone claims inquiry hotline. Period. Don’t hand your hard-earned money to any online business that says it will get your unemployment benefits for you, file for you, or otherwise offer to “connect” you with your rightful compensation.

Resources:

To find your state's website, use our comprehensive list of all of the state unemployment websites, click here:  State Unemployment Websites

For our state unemployment directory, which includes eligibility information and instructions on how to file for unemployment, click here:  State Unemployment Directory with Instructions

Comments  

 
# kristy 2011-01-17 22:59
What about unemployment fraud? I know a women that collects unemployment and has for almost a year. She worked for 6 months under the table at the local bar and still bragged about her benefits. Now she has a broken ankle from reckless behavior and still collecting unemployment is this right or fair? Is there someone I can contact in reguards to this fraud?
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# My opinion 2011-03-10 21:52
To Kristy:
Mind your own business! How about taking your time to do more things to improve yourself, such as learning how to spell? REGUARDS is not a word. Leave the other woman alone.
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# your opinion 2011-09-24 10:14
This is why we are in the position we are in is unethical people such as your self thinking the goverment owes you a living. It's people like Kristy that can make a difference just wish everyone knew how important their voice was and would be able to call in all forms of corruption whether it be unemployment, worker's comp., social security or insurance fraud. Kristy yes they do have fraud investigators call it in and go girl it only takes one person to be able to make a difference. Wish more people had the guts to step forward and get America back on their feet and end the corruption from other American's I know I have been working two to three jobs for 38 years I am getting tired of supporting the corrupt and unethical.
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# dr. j 2011-01-19 18:33
Question:

If I work part-time during an unemployment insurance period but am not PAID for work until a month later, do I report waged 'earned' in that period of time or simply wait until I am paid a month later? Obviously, if no unemployment insurance is given, I go without pay for a month.
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# kelly 2011-02-08 01:27
I filed for unemployment n been waitin for 4 months, the temp agency i work for told unemployent i quit when i really got laid off . I got laid off when my company laid off when my company shut down 2nd shift , so is the temp agency allowed to lie .. i been waitin for my adjustor to call me back but he never does so i cam tell him everythin. Is there anythin else i can do , i been lookin for jobs but not much really out there , i dont have food n rent n utilitys bills money
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# Charlie 2011-09-01 17:18
You can march back to that office and inform the receptionist that you want to speak with an office manager because you want a Fair Hearing. This is an Administrative Law Tribunal hearing with an administrative law judge or mediator, and you have a right to this hearing if, by a reasonable date your claim hasn't been responded to, but you CANNOT do this by mail. So sorry, but you have to do this in person. Then, you have to have all your documentation at that time. Good Luck.
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# ann rinkel 2011-03-29 13:47
can i get unemployment benefits if i am receiving paid insurance benefits while i am laid off for the winter?
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# YOLANDA 2011-05-29 12:21
i filed unemplyment for last week now they say i have issues in filing for this week, what could the issues be.
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# Miranda 2011-08-26 11:14
If you are unemployed and collecting benefits, are you able to leave the state for a week long vacation?
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# erin 2011-09-09 00:13
I know some girl who has been working under the table andis receiving more then enough money working where she should not be receiving nemployment benifets all she does is brag about it whre there are people who are out there who could really use the uneployment benefits where I'm pretty sure her frind does to and they both have full time jobs which I think is unescary for them to be collecting!
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# Shelly 2011-09-15 05:45
My daughter worked in a daycare at a church. She was let go. She put in for unemployment but they came back & told her she could not recieve any. Because the daycare was located at a church. But the problem is they took out medicare & ss, so why not she can't recieve unemployment if they can take it out of your check?
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# Pam 2011-10-20 04:42
Ive got a friend who got fired being investigated as a cna by the nursing board and hasnt looked for work since being fired in june is this fraud
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# Todd 2011-10-24 15:31
Isn't it against the law to have other people doing your filing for unemployment benefits? There is a person who is getting his 5th extention and has collected for 3 years. He hasn't worked in 3 years. He had another person doing them but they quit, scared of getting caught. Now another person is doing it.
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# Callie 2011-11-09 14:31
On 10/13/11 my supervisor pulled me aside and told me that they'd been watching me for a couple months and decided they didn't need me anymore. I had been working there for a year and a half, and had been told by numerous co-workers that I was very good at my job. [Not bragging just giving facts]. I left and a week later I signed up for unemployment. I told the lady what he had said to me, and proceeded to try and find another job, hoping unemployment would send me a check so I could pay my bills until finding another job. I received a call a couple days ago informing me that my supervisor had told the Department of Labor that I had been warned in February, at my first review, that I had been swearing and bullying a female colleague. Which was a lie. He had NOT told me that, and it was not on my review, which I received a copy of. He supposedly told me that if I didn't shape up I would be fired. He also told the DOL that id been bullying an older gentleman I had worked with. Also a lie. If I had been harassing employees shouldn't they have fired me in february when I had my review?? And not given me a raise?? My determination notice says I was discharged for picking on another employee. I'm not sure where to go with this. Id hate to go the legal way since I don't have money. But I believe I should be getting unemployment. I worked my ass off for that company. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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# LOL404 2012-02-06 22:01
IS IT CONSIDERED UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD IF SOMEONE HAS A PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN GREECE - COMES OVER HERE TO WORK LONG ENOUGH TO COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT - GO BACK TO GREECE AND HAVE SOMEONE CALL IN FOR HER. i THINK THAT MAKES HER UNAVAILABLE, UNABLE AND NOT SEARCHING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH HER FOR 4 YRS AND WHO KNOWS HOW LONG WITH HER HUSBAND.
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