Fraud and Identity Theft

Reemployment Assistance Fraud

Reemployment Assistance fraud is any false statements or failure to disclose a material fact, knowingly made for the purpose of obtaining or preventing payment of benefits contrary to the provisions of the law. Reemployment Assistance fraud is a third degree felony and can result in serious consequences for the claimant. 

Several examples of Reemployment Assistance fraud include:

• Intentionally not reporting any wages that have been earned
• May have intentionally under reported earnings
• Misrepresented the reason for the job separation

When a fraud determination is issued:

• Claimant will be required to repay the overpayment with a 15% penalty
• Will be disqualified from receiving future benefits (a disqualification can be imposed on a week by week basis up to a one year period)
• May have the case referred to the State Attorney for prosecution, which can result in a charge of grand theft or a misdemeanor

Prosecution and conviction of Reemployment Assistance fraud may result in the claimant being required to serve jail time, make restitution, be placed on probation or some type of pretrial intervention, and serve community hours. 

Report Reemployment Assistance Fraud

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) needs your help preventing Reemployment Assistance fraud and abuse. Your assistance directly strengthens DEO efforts to ensure Florida employers’ tax dollars are spent wisely and Reemployment Assistance benefits only go to eligible claimants. 

Reemployment Assistance Identity Theft

Identity theft is on the rise in both the private and public sector. Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s information to take on his or her identity. Identity theft can include wages and employment information as well as credit card and mail fraud. In the case of Reemployment Assistance benefits, it could mean using another person’s information such as name, Social Security number and employment information. 

Identity theft is often discovered when:

• The victim attempts to file a Reemployment Assistance claim and one already exists for them.
• The victim receives an IRS statement of benefits collected (Form 1099G) from the Reemployment Assistance program.
• The victim’s federal or state income taxes are intercepted.
• The victim’s employer is notified that a claim for benefits has been filed while victim is still employed.
• The victim receives a request of information from Reemployment Assistance.

Report Reemployment Assistance Identity Theft

If you believe you are a victim of Reemployment Assistance identity theft or you're an employer and have an employee who is a victim it is important that you report it to us immediately by calling 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759).

In order for the Department to properly handle Reemployment Assistance identity theft situations it is essential that both you and the employer complete and return any forms sent to you about claims filed. 

There are other steps you may want to take such as reporting your information to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF), by completing a complaint form here. The NCDF is a national coordinating agency within the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division dedicated to improving the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of criminal conduct related to natural and man-made disasters and other emergencies, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Resources

• Affidavit Attesting to Forgery Form
• Credit Request Freeze Form