Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Jose Alvarado 17th District: Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board Urges Residents to Protect Themselves Against Unemployment Insurance Fraud.

 

Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board Urges Residents to Protect Themselves Against Unemployment Insurance Fraud. The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board is warning Westchester County residents to be on alert after many have reported falling victim to unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, New York State has paid more than $65 billion in unemployment benefits, but the Department of Labor (DOL) has identified more than 425,000 of those claims to be fraudulent. Thousands of fraud cases have since been referred to federal prosecutors, who are working with law enforcement on the federal, state and local level to hold people accountable. In response, Westchester Putnam Workforce Development Board is urging County residents to protect themselves against identity theft.  If you believe you are the victim of fraud, report it to the New York State Department of Labor at on.ny.gov/uifraud.