NCJ Number
66533
Journal
WORKLIFE Volume: 3 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 28-32
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
METHODS FOR INVESTIGATING AND DETERRING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FRAUD ARE DESCRIBED, BASED UPON INTERVIEWS WITH INVESTIGATORS FROM VARIOUS STATES.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) FRAUD MAY VARY AMONG STATES, IT IS GENERALLY DEFINED AS WILLFUL MISREPRESENTATION OR CONCEALMENT BY THE CLAIMANT OF FACTS MATERIAL TO THE DETERMINATION OR PAYMENT OF THE CLAIM FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING BENEFITS TO WHICH THE CLAIMANT IS NOT LAWFULLY ENTITLED. UI INVESTIGATORS GENERALLY HAVE BACKGROUNDS IN CLAIMS WORK, COMPUTER CLAIMS PROCESSING, OR ASSISTING CLAIMS ADJUDICATORS. IN SOME STATES, INVESTIGATORS MAY ALSO BE TAX AGENTS OF THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES AND SECURITY OFFICERS FOR UI OFFICES. ALTHOUGH UI INVESTIGATORS GENERALLY USE MANY OF THE TECHNIQUES AND UNDERGO THE SAME STRESSES AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THEY ARE USUALLY WITHOUT ARREST POWERS OR STATE AUTHORITY TO CARRY FIREARMS. THE UI FRAUD INVESTIGATOR'S MAJOR TASK IS TO GATHER FACTS THAT WILL EXPOSE INCIDENTS OF FRAUD. SOME INVESTIGATIVE METHODS CITED AT A RECENT UI FRAUD INVESTIGATION SEMINAR ARE OCCASIONAL CHECKS OF CLAIMS AGAINST JAIL OR HOSPITAL REGISTERS, CROSS-CHECKS OF CLAIMANTS ADDRESSES FOR DUPLICATES, CROSS-CHECKS OF EMPLOYERS' AND CLAIMANTS' SIGNATURES, NOTICE OF CLAIMANTS WHO REGULARLY COME TO THE OFFICE ONLY DURING LUNCH HOUR, AND FOLLOWUP ON CLAIMS WITH SUSPICIOUS INFORMATION. FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS MAY ALSO BEGIN FROM CITIZEN TIPS. INCREASES IN UI STAFFS IN VARIOUS STATES HAVE MADE THE PROBABILITY OF DETECTION SUFFICIENTLY HIGHER TO DETER FRAUD. MOREOVER, THE PUBLICIZING OF DETECTED FRAUD IS ENCOURAGED AS A DETERRENT. UI INVESTIGATORS IN OHIO, NEW YORK, AND COLORADO ARE INTERVIEWED, AND INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES IN NORTH DAKOTA AND UTAH ARE MENTIONED. (RCB)