Unemployment Fraud in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) is committed to preventing and identifying fraud or fraudulent scams. We encourage Nevadans to remain vigilant and to report fraud or any potential concerns of fraud to DETR.

In Nevada, unemployment fraud is considered a felony and the State will be following up on fraudulent claims up to and including prosecution and other civil remedies afforded under the law.

Reporting fraud in Nevada is done online by using the State’s Fraud Reporting Form which can be utilized by individuals and employers alike. Filers are encouraged to file a report and upload supporting information for their report to the State. Additional information explaining the steps individuals and employers can take should they believe a fraudulent claim has been filed can be found on the State’s fraud flyer 

Report Fraud as an Employer

How to report fraud as an employer:

1. Go to www.detr.nv.gov and select the Unemployment Fraud  tab on the left side of the page under “Quick links.” Once on the DETR fraud page, select Report Fraud to DETR located under" I want to.. " DETR will make a note in both the employee claim and in the employer’s record. No changes will be made to the employer’s account. If needed, the Department may reach out for additional information.
2. If you receive notice of a fraudulent filing on behalf of someone still employed or who does not work for you, please return your employer verification letter response to the address indicated as soon as possible, write “FRAUD” in big letters across the form indicating that the claim is fraudulent. Sign and date the letter. Include a separate letter on company letterhead with any details of the fraud. Employers registered with UInv should regularly review their online account for benefit filings to verify accuracy of separated employees. If you note a filing that you believe is fraudulent, you may respond through varied channels:
   • electronically through the employer portal, if you are connected to our State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) system;
   • by faxing in your signed and dated verification letter response indicating that the filing is potentially fraudulent to (775) 684-0338 or (702) 486-7987; or
   • by mailing back the verification letter response to either of the mailing addresses indicated on your letter
3. File a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), at www.ic3.gov on the employee's behalf.
4. Notify and provide copies of all reports to the employee and inform them what has been reported. Keep a file with the information and timeline.
5. Provide the below information to the employee.

Report Fraud as an Individual

How to report fraud as an individual

1. Go to detr.nv.gov and select the Unemployment  Fraud tab on the left side of the page under “Quick links.” Once on the DETR fraud page, select Report Fraud to DETR located under “I want to…”  Once a report is filed, nothing else is required by the reporting party. If needed, the Department may reach out for additional information. Additionally, individuals may:
2. File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), at www.ic3.gov
3. File an Identity Theft or Personal Identifiable Information Complaint with local law enforcement alleging that your personal information has been compromised and used to file an unemployment compensation claim. As part of this process, your driver’s license or state ID and your Social Security card should be verified.
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://www.identitytheft.gov/.   Click “Get Started.”  And here, you will find resources for victims of identity theft.  To report identity theft, select “I want to report identity theft.”  Then, select “Government Benefits or IDs.”
5. File a complaint with the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/report/.  Click “Submit a Report” under “Report Other Social Security Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.”  You can also call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
6. Check your credit report for any anomalies. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com and follow the directions provided to request your free credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
7. Do not give out or verify your personal information (e.g., date of birth and social security number) over the phone.  If someone contacts you asking about your personal information and you are unsure whether it is legitimate, hang up, verify the company’s true phone number and contact the company directly.
8. Optional:   Consider placing a fraud alert with one of the three credit reporting agencies:  Experian, TransUnion or Equifax.  The fraud alert is free and this only needs to be done once. The fraud alert remains on the account for 1 year. You can find contact information for the three credit reporting agencies by visiting the following IRS page https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/employment-related-identity-theft , and scroll down to the bottom of the page, “Steps you should take…”.  Please note that this may make it harder to legitimately apply for credit during this period.

General steps to protect yourself against unemployment scams:

• Never give out your personal information over email or text message.
• Don’t wire money.
• Don’t open or respond to unsolicited emails or text messages.
• Thoroughly review all financial statements for any unusual activity. Immediately contact the company if an item looks suspicious.
• Shred or destroy credit card statements, bills, insurance papers or bank statements before throwing them out.
• Do not carry your Social Security Card in your wallet.
• Be wary of anyone calling to “confirm” personal or financial information. Often, these are criminals trying to obtain those facts under the guise of “confirmation”.
• Release your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary or when required by law
• Ask how you can remove unnecessary information or information that is not required for the service you are receiving.
• Check credit reports, banking information, medical information that may have details that need to be removed or secured
• Protect and update passwords to your online accounts regularly.
• When creating passwords and PINS, do not use anything that could be discovered easily by thieves.
• Memorize all your passwords and PINS.
• Remove old accounts and passwords that are no longer in use.
• Use additional security measures provided for your accounts wherever available.
• When reaching out to DETR or any government entity, keep your personal information safe by making sure you’re only dealing with official state representatives and not scammers preying on your vulnerability during this challenging time.

NOTE: DETR may need to call you. If you file a claim, save the following unemployment phone numbers to your phone so you know you’re receiving a legitimate call from DETR:

• 775-687-7101,
• 702-486-0185 and
• 702-486-3387.

Should we need to contact you directly, we will ask you for some personal identification information in order to verify your identity.

Additional resources

• 1099-G Form for Unemployment Benefits Tax Year 2021- FAQ’s En Espanol
• DETR Recommended Identification Documents
• IRS Guidance on Identity Theft Involving Unemployment Benefits
• U.S. Department of Labor
• U.S. Department of Justice Unemployment Insurance Fraud Consumer Protection Guide – September 21, 2020
• FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), at www.ic3.gov
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) athttps://www.identitytheft.gov/ to file a complaint, and https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/ to view resources for victims of identity theft.
• Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/ to file complaint or call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
• Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to check your credit report and follow the directions provided to request a free credit report from the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• IRS page https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/employment-related-identity-theft, to find contact information for credit reporting agencies and placing a fraud alert with one of the three credit reporting agencies.