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The North Carolina Attorney General and the North Carolina Division of Employment Security have both seen a recent increase in fraud against the state’s unemployment benefits system.

Scammers who obtain stolen identifying information online attempt to file fraudulent unemployment claims in other people’s names.

While the division has taken action to put fraud safeguard in place, North Carolinians should be on the lookout for claims using individual identities. If you or your employer receive a notice from the division for a claim you did not submit, follow these tips to protect yourself:

– Report suspected unemployment fraud to the Division of Employment Security using the online fraud report form at des.nc.gov/fraud or by calling the Fraud Hotline at 984-465-9224;

– Protect your personal information. Never give out your Social Security number, bank account number, or other personal information unless you’re sure of where it’s going. If scammers get their hands on this information, they can use it to commit fraud.

– Take steps to prevent future fraud in your name by getting a free security freeze and create a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.

If you think that you have been the victim of a scam, contact the Consumer Protection Division at ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

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