As Ohioans fall victim to fraudulent unemployment claims, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides claim reporting and recovery steps.
Since the pandemic began in March 2020, ACT Ohio has been assisting Building Tradespeople who are having trouble receiving unemployment compensation. With so many Ohioans out of work, the Ohio unemployment system has been overloaded, with lengthy delays. Now a new problem is plaguing Ohioans: unemployment fraud.
Some who have not applied for unemployment may receive tax notices stating they collected benefits. Governor Mike DeWine was even the victim of unemployment fraud. If you believe someone has fraudulently applied for benefits in your name, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services advises the following:
1.Visit https://odjfs2.secure.force.com/OUIOFraudReportingPortal and complete a secure online fraud reporting form. ODJFS will process the reports, conduct investigations and issue necessary corrections to the IRS on 1099s issued to victims.
2.Follow IRS guidance on identity theft involving unemployment benefits on IRS.gov. If you did not apply for unemployment benefits in 2020 and you received a 1099-G form, you will not be responsible for paying taxes on that money after ODJFS confirms that the claim filed was fraudulent.
3. If you believe you are the victim of unemployment fraud or identity theft, monitor your credit report. Review Ohio Attorney General guidance on Identity Theft, available at https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/IdentityTheft
For further ODJFS resources for unemployment fraud, visit https://unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov/IdentityTheftIndividual/
If you are a Building Tradesperson in need of immediate Ohio unemployment compensation help, please call ACT Ohio at 614-228-5446 or email info@actohio.org.
