AI-based IDV Can Effectively Curb Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Throughout the United States, an emerging scam has taken the nation by storm. Unemployment Insurance Fraud, also commonly known as Unemployment Benefits Fraud, has been making headlines for months. Scammers are threatening the well-being of not just employers, but countless citizens as well by filing for fraudulent insurance claims. By exploiting overwhelmed governmental departments responsible for providing relief during the COVID-19 crisis, threat actors are determined to gain illegal monetary benefits. This fraud has reinforced the importance of employing robust identity verification systems, as confidential information in the wrong hands leads to disastrous consequences. 

The majority of unemployment insurance crimes occur during the application stage, where claimants misrepresent their income, health records, or other personal information to gain access to cheaper insurance premiums. Identity theft was found to be the enabling crime that led to the rise of unemployment insurance fraud in the U.S. 

How Major is this Crisis?

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of identity theft soared to new highs. According to the Federal Trade Commission, complaints related to identity theft more than doubled between 2019 and 2020, reaching a value of 1.38 million. This tally also includes complaints made related to identity theft that caused unemployment insurance fraud. 

What makes the situation more alarming is that numerous state-owned agencies, that were already understaffed or functioning with outdated technology and fraud prevention tools, were not prepared for this onslaught. The resulting chaos has caused companies to become overwhelmed with complaints, fines, and lawsuits. 

To put things into further perspective, the state of Washington generally receives a few dozen fraudulent unemployment claims in a year. In March 2020, however, the state identified 122,000 claims from imposters. 

The Latest Updates on Unemployment Insurance Scams

• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) issued a warning for U.S. citizens about a substantial increase in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in March 2021. According to the DWD, the crime was being facilitated by a phishing attack originating from a fake account by the name “Wisconsin Department of Workforce.”
• The Labor Department of Vermont disabled its online portal for unemployment insurance application in May 2021, after 90% of the initial claims had to be flagged due to fraudulent activity

Scammers Use Mule Networks 

Money earned through an unemployment insurance fraud scheme rarely flows directly to the perpetrator. Instead, fraudsters move the money through online accounts using individuals that have a legitimate U.S. bank account. This not only allows the scammer to conceal their identity but also makes it difficult for regulatory authorities to detect fraud and recoup the funds. 

Additionally, digital wallets, mobile banking, and other money transfer apps have opened the gateway to new avenues for moving illegal funds around. These channels allow users to access accounts without appearing in person. As a result, the scammer successfully avoids cameras at ATMs, bypasses manual security checks, and commits the crime by concealing their true identity. 

What is the Penalty For Unemployment Insurance Fraud?

According to the U.S. unemployment insurance law, the following penalties are charged on fraudulent claimants:

• Criminal prosecution, with fines and/or imprisonment
• Mandatory repayment of fraudulently collected insurance benefits
• Confiscation of future income tax refunds (rebates) 
• Permanent loss of eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits