Tips for victims of UI fraud

ALPENA, Mich. — Panic is what many working Americans are feeling this tax season as 1099 ‘s are flooding their mailboxes.

California resident Darnell Turner said in May he received documents from the State of Michigan to his second home in  Philadelphia asking him to verify his unemployment claim.  Turner said he immediately reported the claim as fraud only to recently receive a 1099.

Turner said he became very frustrated with the State of Michigan especially after finding out the funds were going to a Cash App account.

So how did this become such a big problem?  Professor Steven Weisman, who teaches white collar crime at Bethel University, said this stems from an organized cyber crime group out of Nigeria.  Weisman adds that prosecuting them will be a challenge.

Tax Preparer Ralph Zerbonia said ignoring notices can result in a levy and he suggests steps for filing.

Weismann adds that the best way to protect yourself is to keep your social security number as private as possible and freeze your credit with the three credit reporting agencies and freeze your children’s credit too.