David Y. Ige

HONOLULU — The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced today that it is warning consumers about attempts made by criminals to file imposter claims in order to receive unemployment benefits. Multiple states have been victimized by fraudulent claims filed in recent weeks as part of a nationwide scam organized by a cybercrime gang that is believed to have obtained personal information through previous nationwide data breaches. The U.S. Secret Service issued a national alert about this international crime ring committing fraud against state unemployment programs on May 14, 2020.

“The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations takes its responsibility to prevent fraud in the unemployment insurance program very seriously,” said Scott Murakami, DLIR Director. “We are working with our federal, state and local partners to investigate and prevent fraud, while paying benefits to claimants as quickly as possible.”

The department was alerted that potentially fake claims may be filed using previously stolen or fraudulent personal information, however, no personal information from claimants have been stolen from the department. The department uses program integrity measures to prevent and identify fraud and is currently coordinating with the Hawaii Bankers Association to identify suspicious accounts.

“Hawaii residents who suspect an imposter claim has been filed in their name should contact the Unemployment Insurance Division at (808) 586-8947,” said Neal K. Okabayashi, Hawaii Bankers Association Executive Director. “It is unfortunate that criminals are capitalizing on the current COVID-19 emergency to file fraudulent unemployment claims using stolen identify information.”

Employers can assist the department by electronically filing wage data and Electronic Lower Earnings Reports through the unemployment insurance web application at www.uiclaims.hawaii.gov. The web application is secure, free, and easy to use, for more information please visit https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/main/new-employer-website/.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for (808) 586-8866

# # #

View DLIR news releases:
https://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/

 

Media Contact:

Bill Kunstman
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
(808) 586-8845
[email protected]
https://labor.hawaii.gov