gvogrin@tribtoday.com
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 Howland, Austintown and Warren.
A scan of Warren police reports show there were 18 complaints for identity fraud from Feb. 1 to 10, and 31 identity fraud reports made during the month of January.
news@tribtoday.com
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.
Village of West Alexandria cited by Ohio Auditor’s office
By Anthony Baker - abaker@aimmediamidwest.com
An audit of the Village of West Alexandria alleges multiple anomalies, including a finding for recovery in the amount of $3,326.
Anthony Baker | The Register-Herald
WEST ALEXANDRIA Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber issued a press release detailing the results of an audit of the Village of West Alexandria on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The audit, which covers the years 2017 and 2018, uncovered multiple anomalies, including a finding for recovery in the amount of $3,326.
A finding for recovery is issued when public funds are determined to have been misspent or misappropriated, according to information on the Auditor of State’s website. Penalties, late fees, and interest charges levied by state agencies are an example of unnecessary expenditures which do not serve a proper public purpose, and may result in a finding for recovery.