Fraud can take on many forms. There are times when the claimant unintentionally commits unemployment fraud. In these cases, it could be that the claimant was unaware of their reporting obligations. Examples of this type of fraud, are:
- Receiving UI benefits and failing to inform the State Workforce Agency of a job refusal
- Receiving UI Benefits and not reporting to work after accepting an employment offer
- Receiving UI benefits and failing to inform the State Workforce Agency of not passing a pre-employment Drug Screening test.
There are more intentional forms of unemployment fraud. It may be considered fraud by the State Workforce Agency, when an individual is receiving benefits and they are:
- Not reporting they are working and being paid cash "under the table"
- Not reporting their earnings
- Incarcerated at the same time
- Not able or available to seek or accept work due to illness, injury, out of town, on vacation, etc.
- Not looking for work or falsifying their work search efforts.
- Not reporting they are engaged in self-employment.
It may be considered fraud if an individual is withholding information or giving false information to the State Workforce Agency. In rare circumstances, you may encounter employees who are collaborating with an employer to illegally claim unemployment insurance benefits.