With the COVID-19 pandemic causing financial concerns, criminals are finding ways to use it to their advantage. Detectives have noticed an increase in unemployment fraud where residents receive letters from the Washington State Employment Security Department confirming receipt of their unemployment claim and giving further directions. The claims have been filed in the resident’s name with their social security number. Anyone who has not filed for benefits but receives a letter may be a victim of identity theft.

If you are a Marysville resident and the victim or suspected victim of this type of Identity Theft / Fraud, you may make a police report by using the http://www.mycrimereport.us/ You can also find this link on the Marysville Police web page.

Filing your report online means it can be submitted quickly and you can print a copy of the police report at no cost. All reports filed will be reviewed, but are not typically monitored in real-time. If further investigation is needed or your report requires a response from the police department, it may take up to 72 hours to receive a response. Once your case is reviewed and approved, a Marysville Police Department case number will be assigned and you will receive an email notification.

Recipients should also contact the WA State Employment Security Department at https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployment-benefits-fraud or contact that office at 800-246-9763 to report Benefit and Identity Theft Fraud so Employment Security can investigate. Individuals who commit fraud may be subject to state or federal criminal prosecution.

You may also be interested in these links:

• https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/free-credit-reports/
• https://www.experian.com/
• https://www.transunion.com/ 
• https://help.equifax.com/s/article/How-do-I-place-temporarily-lift-or-permanently-remove-a-security-freeze