Report Fraud to IWD
If you believe you have come in contact with a fraudulent unemployment benefits website, taken phone calls from someone impersonating an unemployment insurance department, or experienced similar activity, please contact IWD as soon as possible. The easiest way to report fraud is directly on the iowaworks.gov website.
When filing a complaint about potential UI fraud, the following information is needed:
- Name and address of the individual or business suspected of committing fraud.
- If available, include the social security number and name of the business that the individual has been employed with over the last year.
- Description of your complaint in detail and dates, when possible.
It is not required to provide your name or any other identifying information to file a complaint about UI fraud. However, if the complaint is anonymous, IWD will be unable to contact you if further information is required.
A complaint can be submitted online, by mail or fax.
Visit iowaworks.govto immediately report potential fraud. The homepage includes a report fraud section and you do not have to be logged in to submit the information.
IowaWORKS accepts potential fraud tips related to:
- Claimants
- Employers
- Impersonators and other types of fraud
- Iowa Workforce Development
- Attn: Fraud
- 1000 E. Grand Avenue
- Des Moines, IA 50319
- Iowa Workforce Development
- Attn: Fraud
- Fax: 515-281-9033
Understanding Fraud
Thank you for your efforts in combating unemployment fraud and abuse in Iowa. This helps ensure that unemployment insurance (UI) benefits are only paid to people who are eligible to receive them.
Please select the option below that applies to you to learn more.
Unemployment fraud is knowingly providing false information, or withholding information, in order to receive unemployment benefits. Fraudulently collecting benefits is a serious offense and can lead to severe penalties, including:
- Criminal prosecution, fines and imprisonment.
- Denial of future benefits by administrative penalty.
- Repayment of fraudulently collected unemployment benefits (plus a 15 percent penalty).
- Wage garnishments and liens.
- Interception of state and federal tax refunds.
Learn How to Take the Steps to Avoid Unemployment Fraud:
- Understanding UI Fraud (Flyer)
- Claimant Fraud Awareness Flyer: If you are filing for unemployment and have a UI account, there are several ways you can help reduce fraud and protect your information.
- Employer Fraud Awareness Flyer: Employers can also take several steps to can help reduce fraud and protect your business from threats.
Unemployment identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal identifiable information to apply for unemployment insurance benefits.
If you or someone you know has experienced any of the following situations, they may be a victim of identity theft.
- You've been actively claiming and receiving unemployment benefits but their personal identifiable information and/or bank account information has been changed without their knowledge and benefits payments are no longer being received.
- You receive information about an unemployment claim with their Social Security Number and that person has never filed for unemployment benefits.
- You are an employer who received information about an employee’s unemployment claim, but the employee has stated that they never filed for unemployment benefits.
If any of these situations apply, contact us using our online Identity Theft form.
Resources for Identity Theft Victims
The following tips provided by law enforcement and other trusted entities may be useful for the victims of identity theft:
- Order your credit report from each of the three national credit-reporting companies. These reports are free after you place an initial fraud alert. You can also get a free credit report at: www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Create an identity theft affidavit online at www.identitytheft.gov.
- Place a 7-year fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the three national credit reporting companies:
- Equifax (800)525-6285
- Experian (888)397-3742
- Trans-Union (800)680-7289
The misclassification of workers as “independent contractors” rather than “employees” is a growing problem in Iowa and across the nation. IWD investigates cases of potential misclassification on an individual basis and will issue a determination on whether the person providing service is an employee or an independent contractor.
Learn more about what misclassification is and how to report it with IWD.
Current Fraud Alerts
Watch out for fraudulent websites, phishing attempts, or scams posing as information from the unemployment insurance office. Report these as soon as possible. Please select the options below to learn about the recent fraud alerts issued statewide or nationwide that are attempting to gain claimant information.
Please Note: IWD has identified an active scheme that is targeting individuals in Northwest Iowa (and likely other areas of the state). The scheme is attempting to file fraudulent claims by using someone else’s information. As a result, individuals are receiving letters that appear to show that they filed for benefits. If you receive one of these letters and you DID NOT FILE for benefits, please contact IWD immediately.
To report Unemployment Identity Theft, fill out the IWD ID Theft & Hijacked Account Web Reporting Form form or contact IWD at UIFraud@iwd.iowa.gov.
More Information: Officials warn of workforce scam letters
Please note: An active fraud scheme identified by the IRS is currently targeting some Iowa claimants via mail in an attempt to collect overpaid unemployment benefits. While some information on the letter you received may be correct, the letter may not have come from IWD. All claimants receiving overpayment letters are urged to contact IWD first in order to confirm the information is correct.
IWD’s Benefits Collection Number is 800-914-6808. For more information, please call that number – not the number provided in your letter (if it is different). You also may report suspected fraud to UIFraud@iwd.iowa.gov or on this webpage.
Please note: Iowa Workforce Development will NOT send text messages to unemployment insurance claimants.
If you receive a text from someone claiming to be IWD, do NOT click on the link. Clicking the link could give fraudsters access to information on your phone which could then allow them to take over your UI account. In the event that your account is compromised and a fraudster intercepts any payments, it could cause extreme delays to your unemployment insurance funds.
If you receive a text, please immediately report it to IWD by emailing: UIFraud@iwd.iowa.gov.
Please note: Iowa Workforce Development has previously identified schemes that specifically target immigrants, refugees, or underserved populations who have little or no ability to read, write, or speak English. These schemes have defrauded individuals by offering to help them file for unemployment benefits while directing payments to their own bank accounts. IWD takes these threats very seriously. Any fraudsters who attempt to target vulnerable populations will be reported to law enforcement partners and prosecuted.
More information: Ottumwa Man and Woman Sentenced for Defrauding the Internal Revenue Service, Iowa Workforce Development, and Numerous Citizens