Unemployment assistance fraud (help?)

Submitted by Scratch_Disastrous t3_y1abp9 in massachusetts

Any tips on how to talk to someone at the MA unemployment assistance office? I received a letter from them stating that I owe thousands in PUA unemployment assistance overpayments back in 2020, and they're going to intercept my tax refund. This letter was the first indication of any sort that the state thinks I owe money. The problem is that the unemployment assistance was fraudulent and I reported it to the state back in 2020. I've never actually applied for or received any unemployment assistance (ever in my life). I have proof of the fraud report in the form of an email receipt from the state, but I have no idea how to proceed from here. I've tried calling the PUA number listed and it tells me that the call volume is so high that they "can't take my call" right now. WTF?!

Has anyone been through this? I believe this type of fraud was fairly common, but I thought this was all behind me until I received this letter. Thanks in advance.

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gaschnerden t1_irw5zjk wrote

Your state rep can actually be a big help with the DUA. Had an issue and reached out to mine and had DUA calling me!

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Scratch_Disastrous OP t1_iry91z3 wrote

Just circling back with some more information for anyone who may encounter this problem. I finally got through on the phone line this afternoon. In fact, I had to wait on hold for over 30 minutes two separate times because the first time I was disconnected trying to be transferred to the Integrity Team at the DUA.

I was told that the system sending out these "overpayment" letters does not take into account whether the person has a fraud report on file (identify theft). The second agent I spoke to said that she's getting tons of calls from people like me. She gave me the Integrity Team phone number and advised me to contact them. She said that they've been cleaning this up for many people. They did not answer this afternoon, but I'll keep trying tomorrow.

Separately I also mailed an appeal letter to DUA (certified mail), and attached my 2020 fraud report (receipt) and copies of the letters, and explained the situation. I'm feeling optimistic that at least one of these channels will work!

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_irw7yzt wrote

So you received money in error and set it aside in a separate account until you could determine the correct process to return it to the state and then you returned it.

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Scratch_Disastrous OP t1_irw8lgv wrote

Thanks. But I did not receive any money.

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_irw9a3b wrote

Sorry. Misunderstood. Will delete. Good luck.

Edit: wait. You said the unemployment assistance paid by the state was fraudulent. That’s where my confusion came from. Who committed fraud? That implies you got it by lying, no?

Reply to their letter with both a copy of their letter and a paper copy of the email from the state that you say proves your innocence. That will solve this, no? They send you snail mail: reply with snail mail. Combine their request/complaint with your proof of innocence in your reply.

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Scratch_Disastrous OP t1_irwiy3y wrote

Thanks! By "fraudulent" what I meant was: Someone filed for unemployment benefits on my behalf, and they apparently received payments. I can't even create a DUA account because someone has already done so with my SSN, and all of the password reset options go through this person's email/mobile numbers. The DUA phone number always states that it's so busy they cannot take calls (they don't even allow you to hold or wait for an agent).

I think you're right that at this point all I can do is send a certified letter that explains the situation with a copy of their letter and a copy of the proof that this is fraud. The only proof that I have is a fraud report that I made in 2020, which produced an email confirmation. I'm not sure how else I can prove that I did not request or receive unemployment benefits.

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_irwv2b1 wrote

Were you a victim of identity theft in this situation?

If so, that’s the phrase I encourage you to use rather than “fraud” or “for my benefit” both of which imply you were involved.

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Scratch_Disastrous OP t1_irx01ut wrote

Thanks for this advice, and I'll be sure to make this clear in the letter. So you think my use of the term "fraudulent" implies that I'm the one who committed the fraud? Even when in the very next sentence I describe how I reported it to the state and how I never applied for or received unemployment assistance?

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BostonUniStudent t1_irw88n8 wrote

Have you contested it yet? People do this without an attorney. And right now DUA is offering very lenient forgiveness on debts. You can talk to an attorney about this, but there are deadlines that approach quickly. You may need to put in a pro forma appeal before deadlines approach.

It's possible they just instantly forgive the debt, obviating the need for hiring an attorney later.

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Scratch_Disastrous OP t1_irw8xwg wrote

This is super helpful, thank you. I can see that there's an appeal process, and it sounds like I only have a few days to do this. I'm contemplating sending an overnight letter to them. All of the online forms require me to go through my DUA/PUA "account", but I don't have any account like this because I've never requested unemployment assistance (someone else did on my behalf).

I'm just worried that my letter will go into some government black hole and I won't find out about it until my tax refund is intercepted.

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BostonUniStudent t1_irw9nxg wrote

If it were me, I would make an online account. Just to see what letters they have for you. The paper trail will mostly be there in digital format, associated with your social security number. And it also makes appealing very easy.

I had to go through this process myself two weeks ago. I filed in Massachusetts, when I apparently should have filed in New Hampshire. I live in Mass, work remotely from here, but originally was hired in New Hampshire for a national remote company. I got misinformation from the Mass DUA call center. They recommended filing locally. But they just recommended I file for a waiver on the debt. I did it in 2 minutes. They make it easy online. And it was instantly discharged. You should find out if there's going to be any tax implications and stuff like that. But filing for a waiver on the debt doesn't claim ownership of the debt. And it doesn't preclude you from later filing a police report claiming fraud. It just would prevent them from attaching to your tax return when you file next year or quarterly.

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Scratch_Disastrous OP t1_irw9xtl wrote

I like this, and will give it a shot to see if I can actually create the account and see the letters/forms. It would be great to submit the appeal online and have the ability to track it. Thank you so much!

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Scratch_Disastrous OP t1_irwb0yc wrote

Unfortunately, someone already has an account with my SSN (presumably the person who fraudulently submitted for benefits back in 2020). I can't change the password because all of the contact methods for password reset are theirs (email addresses and mobile/text numbers). I'll keep calling the number.

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