The Division of Employment Security occasionally receives notification of potential scams aimed at unemployment claimants and their current or former employers. This page provides information about known scams and alerts.
Report suspected unemployment fraud to DES at 919-701-3543 or through the Fraud Reporting Form.
November 3, 2022: SCAM ALERT: Other states are reporting fake emails asking claimants to update their account info through a link. DES is not sending out emails like this! If you get one, don’t click the link. Learn how to spot a scam email.
April 1, 2022: Be aware! DES will NEVER send you a text message regarding your claim. Some states have reported that scammers are sending text messages to claimants with threatening language asking them to verify their account. The scammers will threaten to deactivate the account if it’s not verified. Remember, scammers will try multiple avenues to gain access to a claimant’s account, and claimants must be vigilant in keeping their data safe by only making changes on the DES website. Hawaii has reported such fraud.
December 13, 2021: Unemployment Benefits Imposter Fraud. The Division of Employment Security (DES) has detected a recent increase in suspected imposter fraud in the unemployment benefits system. Fraud safeguards put in place by DES flagged suspicious claims to prevent payments from being released. Learn more about Unemployment Benefits Imposter Fraud.
July 19, 2021: Be aware! DES will NEVER send you a text message regarding your claim. Some states have reported that scammers are sending text messages to claimants with threatening language asking them to verify their account. The scammers will threaten to deactivate the account if it’s not verified. Remember, scammers will try multiple avenues to gain access to a claimant’s account, and claimants must be vigilant in keeping their data safe by only making changes on the DES website.
June 11, 2021: Be aware of scams! DES will never email claimants requesting their password information.
May 21, 2021: Be aware! DES will never send agents to your place of residence. If approached by someone claiming to be from DES, never give them your personal information. Claims assistance is available by phone at 888-737-0259 and online via our chat option.
March 4, 2021: U.S. Department of Justice National Unemployment Insurance Task Force: Fraudulent Websites/Links and Phishing.
The Department of Justice’s National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force (NUIFTF) is issuing this alert to warn the public about fraudsters who are creating websites that mimic government, unemployment insurance (UI) benefit websites, including state workforce agency (SWA) websites. Individuals who wish to file for UI benefits are lured to these fraudulent websites. These websites trick people into disclosing personally identifiable information and other sensitive data. Fraudsters often use this information to commit identity theft. Click here for more details.
February 24, 2021: People should be on the lookout for identity theft involving unemployment benefits
The IRS urges taxpayers whose identities may have been used by thieves to steal unemployment benefits to file a tax return claiming only the income they actually received.
February 3, 2021: IRS offers guidance to taxpayers on identity theft involving unemployment benefits
The Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to contact their appropriate state agency if they receive Forms 1099-G for unemployment benefits they did not actually get because of identity theft.
February 3, 2021: Connecticut unemployment customers have received phishing emails regarding banking options available to them for unemployment purposes from email address: online@unemploymentbenefitsguidetech.com. Do not open emails or click on any links from this address.
January 29, 2021: The Department of Justice’s National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force (NUIFTF) is issuing an alert to warn people of a new phishing scheme. This scheme involves bad actors, presenting as a state workforce agency, who send text messages containing a link:
The goal is to trick the recipient into clicking the link and transmitting sensitive information to the sender. Although law enforcement officials are investigating this phishing scheme, people should remain vigilant and not reply or click the link if they receive such text messages. DES does not send text messages soliciting information.