The HR manager then forwarded a letter from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) indicating that she has filed a claim on March 22, 2020.

“Now, I’m having to spend a lot of time calling everybody — my bank, credit bureaus, employment security, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and the police department – to file reports and claims, and for what?”

Due to the large number of fraudulent claims it made it difficult for those whose identities were stolen to connect with the ESD system for information as Wilson discovered.

According to the Seattle Police Department, “Victims, who have not filed unemployment claims, have received notification from their employer’s Human Resources department, or the Washington State Employment Security Department, indicating an unemployment claim has been filed on their behalf.”

Federal, State and Local authorities, the Employment Securities Department and the Seattle Police Cyber-Crime division have been working diligently to investigate the crimes perpetrated against Washingtonians and have come up with recommendations and steps for anyone who may be a victim or knows anyone who may be a victim of unemployment fraud.