PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are working together on an investigation into possible fraudulent unemployment compensation claims in Pennsylvania, helping to protect those who say their accounts may have been breached.
The commonwealth's Department of Labor & Industry is offering free credit monitoring services amid the ongoing investigation into what appears to be a highly sophisticated and coordinated effort to gain access to vital government systems.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania confirmed there is an active investigation involving reported disruptions in the accounts of unemployment compensation claimants.
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”We want to protect Pennsylvanians from further harm by proactively providing free credit monitoring," said L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier.
She added that L&I and the Office of Administration have collaborated with law enforcement agencies across the state to identify fraudsters and pursue prosecution.
Since a new unemployment compensation benefits system went live in June, L&I estimates the department has prevented more than $4.7 billion in state and federal dollars from being paid out to would-be fraudsters.
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L&I is encouraging any unemployment compensation claimant who believes their account has experienced an unusual change to contact the department online at the unemployment compensation benefits website, then click "report fraud" at the bottom of the page to complete and submit the identity theft form.
By phone, you can call the Pennsylvania Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469.
