Unemployment insurance fraud is the intentional misreporting or withholding of information to get benefits. If you intentionally hide or report wrong information, it is fraud. FRAUD IS A CRIME and can result in penalties up to and including criminal prosecution.
Some examples that could be fraud:
- Not reporting a job refusal or employment while claiming benefits
- Providing false information or withholding information to get benefits
- Failing to report all your earnings when filing for weekly benefits
- Not reporting your job separation accurately
- Filing a claim using another person's identity
Penalty Weeks
If we find you have committed fraud, we may assign up to 52 penalty weeks you must serve before receiving future benefits, in addition to repaying any overpaid benefits. You must file a weekly claim if you want to apply the penalty week instead of payment. Normal benefit payments will resume after you have served penalty weeks or paid back the overpayment.
Overpayments from UI Fraud
If you were overpaid because of intentional fraud, you will have to pay back the benefits you received in error. You will also have to pay a penalty fee of 15-30% of your total overpayment. We may take action to collect your overpayment, including penalty and interest through distraint warrants, property liens, wage garnishments, offset of benefits you are otherwise eligible for, and interception of your state and federal tax refunds. You may also be prosecuted.