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The number of identities stolen in order to make fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits has reached the hundreds of thousands in Ohio.
According to information given to the Community Legal Aid, more than 760,000 victims of widespread fraud have had their personal information used to open credit accounts and other claims like jobless benefits. Police reports in the Mahoning Valley have documented dozens since the beginning of 2021, including in Howland, Austintown and Warren.
A scan of Warren police reports show 18 complaints for identity fraud from Feb. 1 to 10, and 31 identity fraud reports made during the month of January.
According to Community Legal Aid, all victims carry a potential tax liability because unemployment benefits are considered taxable income. The Legal Aid group is warning those compromised that the IRS and the Ohio State Department of Taxation will act as though benefits were received, unless they are notified otherwise.