New Jersey Unemployment Insurance is a valuable support system for you and your loved ones during difficult times. It’s important to remember that it is illegal to collect these benefits by providing false information on your unemployment application or weekly certification.
Engaging in fraudulent activity to receive benefits can lead to serious consequences and potentially jeopardize your NJ unemployment eligibility.
To ensure that unemployment insurance benefits are distributed fairly and appropriately, the New Jersey DLWD aggressively investigates cases of UI fraud. The division collaborates with other state and federal agencies to verify the employment status and income of individuals receiving benefits. The state also conducts random investigations to review your eligibility, payroll records, and work search requirements. If your case is selected for review, we will contact you to schedule an interview.
If you know someone who fraudulently filed an unemployment insurance claim, please report it to the NJDOL. They take all reports seriously and will make sure the unemployment system works fairly for all claimants.
How to report NJ unemployment fraud
By phone: 609-777-4304
By fax: 609-292-5593
By mail:
Benefit Payment Control
PO Box 043
Trenton NJ 08625
Online:
- Report unemployment fraud: Use this form to let us know that someone is fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits. You can remain anonymous.
- Report Identity theft: Use this form if someone has filed a fraudulent unemployment claim using your Social Security number or other personal information.
If you are letting us know that someone is collecting benefits without truly being unemployed, you do not have to identify yourself when you contact us.
Examples of NJ unemployment insurance fraud
- Being dishonest about returning to work in order to collect unemployment compensation.
- Lying about how and why you became unemployed.
- Hiding or lying about any fact that could make you ineligible for benefits or reduce your benefit amount.
- Use someone else’s identity to claim or get benefits.
- Allowing someone else to certify for benefits on your behalf.
- Using a counterfeit Social Security card. This is a felony crime under federal law.
- Falsifying your earnings, or purposefully reporting less than you earned.
Consequences of committing unemployment fraud in New Jersey
- If you violate the rules governing unemployment benefits, you could face serious consequences, such as severe fines, penalties, and even prison.
- In addition to financial penalties, you could be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits in the future.
- If you owe money as a result of receiving benefits improperly, your state or federal income tax refunds may be taken to satisfy the debt.
- It is your responsibility to repay any benefits you received improperly, along with interest and penalties.
- Violating the rules regarding unemployment benefits could lead to criminal charges and imprisonment.
Overpayments
If you receive unemployment benefits that you are not entitled to, this is known as an overpayment. Unemployment claimants are required to pay back any improper payment they were not entitled to receive.
If you receive an overpayment notice, you have a few options. You can make a payment using our online system, or call the Benefit Payment Control Office at 609-293-0030 to set up a payment plan.
You can also mail a check to:
Bureau of Benefit Payment Control
Refund Processing Section
PO Box 951
Trenton NJ 08625-0951
If you are unable to return the improper payment, you can request a waiver, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Fines and/or interest will not usually be assessed for overpayments due to information crossing in the mail.
You are responsible for reimbursing the program regardless of the reason for the overpayment. If you have any questions or disagree with the overpayment information, you can file an appeal.
Verifying Your Identity
When you apply for unemployment benefits in New Jersey, you may be required to verify your identity with ID.me.
The New Jersey Department of Labor has teamed up with ID.me to authenticate the identity of all claimants seeking unemployment insurance benefits. This helps protect your identity and your benefits from fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. Verification of your identity through ID.me is required to receive unemployment benefits.
If the NJDOL asks you to verify your identity using ID.me, be sure to have the following documents:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Mobile phone that has a camera or a computer with a webcam for video call
- Social Security number
- Email address
How to protect your personal information online
Here are some ways you can protect your personal information online and prevent identity theft:
- Use strong and unique passwords for all online accounts related to your unemployment benefits. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
- Never share your login credentials, Social Security number, or other personal information with anyone over the phone, email, or social media.
- Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity to your bank or credit card company immediately.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails or phone calls asking for personal information. Legitimate government agencies will never ask for sensitive information over the phone or via email.
- Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. This can put your computer and personal information at risk.
- Keep your computer’s software, including your internet browser and operating system, up to date with the latest security patches and updates.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your online accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your login process and minimizes the chances of attempted fraud.
- When using public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive information such as your unemployment benefits account. Public Wi-Fi networks are often not secure, and your personal information may be intercepted by cybercriminals.
- If you suspect that your personal information has been compromised, report it immediately to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
- Consider signing up for identity theft protection services or credit monitoring to detect any suspicious activity related to your personal information.