Criminals are seizing on a surge in job losses to steal unemployment benefits from Americans nationwide.
This complicates an already tough situation for millions of financially strapped Americans and overwhelmed state unemployment offices.
“We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these people and when they will get this resolved and get the money they need to live on,” said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center, which has seen a sharp jump in calls for help with unemployment fraud.
Since mid-March, 42.7 million people have applied for unemployment benefits, though some have been rehired as states allow businesses to reopen.
On Thursday, the federal government said 21.5 million people are receiving jobless aid.
