Be On the Lookout for Unemployment Identity Theft Scams

With millions of people receiving unemployment, it’s no surprise that scammers are taking advantage of this situation and filing fraudulent claims for unemployment compensation. They do this by using stolen personal information of taxpayers who haven’t filed unemployment claims.

If you filed for unemployment and received an incorrect Form 1099-G, contact the issuing agency to request a revised form. When filing your federal tax return, you can also contact the IRS and request an identity protection PIN to protect your identity. Educate yourself on the many signs of identity theft and take the proper steps to help protect yourself.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS⁷

Footnotes and Sources

^{7. IRS.gov, December 28, 2023}