Over the past weeks, the Boone County Sheriff's Department has received multiple reports of fraudulent unemployment claims being filed using the names and personal information of people who have not filed claims. In these cases, the victim learns of the fraud when they receive a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or their employer regarding their supposed application for benefits. These fraudulent actions have resulted in unemployment benefits being paid out to the bank accounts of unknown individuals outside of this jurisdiction. If you find yourself a victim of this crime, the Arkansas Attorney General's Office recommends the following steps be taken:

•       Report the fraud to your employer.
•       Submit an unemployment fraud form with the Division of Workforce Services at https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/unemployment/reporting-ui-fraud/.
•       Review your free weekly credit reporting information at https://arkansasag.gov/consumer-protection/money/one/credit-reporting/

Additionally, for more information regarding identity theft and steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft please visit the Arkansas Attorney General's Office at the link provided https://arkansasag.gov/consumer-protection/identity/column-one/im-a-victim-what-should-i-do/.