news article

Fraudulent Unemployment Claims in UNY

April 14, 2021 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Upper NY Conference office has seen an increase in fraudulent unemployment claims for Conference staff. We have received a few calls from churches who participate in unemployment insurance that they have as well.

Please note: Churches are not required to participate in unemployment insurance but some voluntarily do for their lay staff.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU RECEIVE A FRAUDULENT UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM?  

• If the church, as the employer, receives documentation from the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) about a claim being filed, contact the employee and ask if they filed the claim.
• If the employee did not file a claim, advise the employee to contact the Department of Labor https://dol.ny.gov/report-fraud  and tell them there was a fraudulent unemployment claim filed in their name.
• If you (the church employer) verbally spoke to your employee, it is prudent to follow up with the employee with the guidance you verbally provided.
• DO NOT IGNORE IT
  • Filing a report is very important because the documentation we are receiving include the employee’s name, address, wage information, and social security number (potential identity theft).  
  • Filing a fraud report with the state will ensure nothing is paid out under the church’s account. 
  • Reporting it also includes clear steps on how to proactively protect the employee from identify theft, including getting set up for free credit monitoring.
  • If you receive any documentation about a fraudulent unemployment claim, please report it to the DOL and your employer right away. 

If you have questions on unemployment, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or email at tracyrickett@unyumc.org.