Identity Thieves Drain Unemployment Benefit Funds

Makarand writes "According to a News.com.com article, the defrauding of state government unemployment benefit programs is the most underpublicized identity theft crime and the states are not doing much about it. Identity thieves are using stolen social security numbers to file false unemployment claims and collecting benefits because the states have no systems in place to deter fraud. In fact, it is easier to convert stolen identity data into money by filing false unemployment claims than going after the credit card companies." From the article: "File a false unemployment claim and you can receive $400 per week for 26 weeks. Do it for 100 Social Security numbers and you've made a quick $1.04 million. It's tough to make crime pay much better than that."

Tell me about it

[Winckle]

This Malda guy next door has been unemployed for so long I don't think he's ever gonna get a job.

Ah, but are they really thieves?

[Anonymous Coward]

They are only copying someone's identity after all. The original person still has their identity, so it can't be considered "theft" :D

sorry, but where is the HOWTO file ?

[Adult film producer]

I don't see it included in the story.. it sounds like such a great deal for those with initiative, I have to ask if this is illegal?

Re:Easier the other way...

[Anonymous Coward]

it might be easier to compile a national database of Social Security numbers that haven't been stolen. ^_^
Yes, lets make such a list so someone can go and steal it.

Quick?

[Poromenos1]

you've made a quick $1.04 million

Quick compared to what? Bank robbery?

• Break into bank
• Disable guard
• Unlock safe with stolen code
• Wait 26 weeks
• PROFIT!!!

Re:Quick?!?

[GreyyGuy]

If you have a faster way to make $1.04 million, please feel free to share it ;)

Re:Check for actual unemployment?

[savagedome]

[New York State Department of Labor]
MRS. SOKOL: You know you only have two more weeks before your benefits run out.
GEORGE: Yes and I was hoping ... to get a thirteen week extension.
MRS. SOKOL: So where have you been looking for work?
GEORGE: Well you know what I've discovered Mrs. Sokol. It's not so much the looking as the listening. I listen for work. And as I'm looking and listening I am also looking. You can't discount looking. It's sort of a combination. It's looking, and listening, listening and looking. But you must look.
MRS. SOKOL: Can you be specific about any of these companies?
GEORGE: Specific, Ah, lets see. I've walked in and out of so many buildings they all .. blend in together, I uh, ..
MRS. SOKOL: Well just give me one name.
GEORGE: Absolutely, uh, lets see there's, uh, Vandaley Industries, I just saw them. I got very close there. very close.
MRS. SOKOL: And what type of company is that?
GEORGE: Latex, latex manufacturing
MRS. SOKOL: And you interviewed there?
GEORGE: Yes, for a sales position. Latex salesman, the selling of latex, and latex related products. They just wouldn't give me a chance.
MRS. SOKOL: I'm going to need an address and a phone number for this uh, Vandaley company...
GOERGE: You like gum? 'Cause I have a friend in the gum business. I got a gum guy. I make one phone call. I got boxes of delivered right to your door.
MRS. SOKOL: The address!
GEORGE: YYYDDSSHE(?) ... Jose Jimenez. You recognize it?
MRS. SOKOL: No.
GEORGE: Jose Jimenez, ... verrry funny. ..very funny.
MRS. SOKOL: The ADDRESS!
GEORGE: uh, Uh, Vandaley Industries, is uh. 129 West 81st street. It's a very small industry Vandaley. It's one of the reasons I wanted to uh, work for them.
MRS. SOKOL: The PHONE number.
GEORGE: That's uh, KL5-8383. Are you calling them soon because, they keep very strange hours.
MRS. SOKOL: As soon as I'm done wit you!
GEORGE: Sure, well uh, you know I'll check in with you next week uh, I gotta run now because I got a full plate this afternoon. All right, really go to uh,.
[George runs down hall]

Re:Your...

[Loonacy]

I keep trying, but it's rejecting my mail! Something about SenderID.

Re:Check for actual unemployment?

[Kohath]

Privatising it would change this how exactly? Other than siphoning off a lot of money for profit that would normally go to the unemployed who need it.

Maybe we should all shop at the government grocery store too.

Tattoos

[infonography]

It's over due, everybody should get them. Best if they are across the forehead, but if you went to Aruba and got a deep tan it may make it hard to run you thru the scanner. Don't you just hate it when these thing don't scan?

Re:Check for actual unemployment?

[Marc2k]

Maybe we should.

Re:Ah, but are they really thieves?

[SmittyTheBold]

Some people call me an identity pirate, but I know the truth:

Your identity wants to be free!