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PUA Fraud FAQs

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Fraud

On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal program called the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

As reported across the nation, fraudsters are targeting state UI systems in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic through various schemes and identity theft. Bad actors are using stolen personal information from sources outside of the department, such as from massive external data breaches like the Equifax breach, to apply for benefits and attempt to route payments to their own bank accounts.

If you received a letter regarding a claim for PUA and you did NOT apply for benefits, please follow the instructions on the letter to report potential identity theft at PUA.HAWAII.GOV. The DLIR is not able to detect how or when your identity was stolen and cannot prevent it from being used elsewhere. If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov. You may also check to see if your email has been breached by visiting https://haveibeenpwned.com.

Identity Theft FAQs

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a crime in which an impostor obtains key pieces of personally identifiable information, such as Social Security or driver’s license numbers. Criminals use this information to impersonate someone else, usually for financial gain.

What is unemployment impostor fraud?

When someone illegally files an unemployment claim using another person’s personal and employment information.

How do I know if I’m a victim of an impostor?

Many people find out when they receive an unexpected letter from Unemployment Insurance (UI). Many also find out when UI notifies an employer that a current employee has applied for unemployment benefits and the employer then notifies the employee.

What should I do if I suspect I’m a victim of an impostor?

Report the claim at https://lbr.force.com/PUASupport/s/contactsupport as well as at www.identitytheft.gov.

What will happen after I have reported the identity theft to the department?

A hold will be placed to prevent additional payments from being made.

What should employers do for their employees who experience impostor fraud?

  • Immediately notify the department by calling 586-8947
  • Immediately notify their employees about the fraudulent claim
  • Encourage them to report at identitytheft.gov
  • Alternatively to calling, fax (808) 586-8929 or write to: DLIR Employer Services, Rm 437 Honolulu, HI 96813

What if the impostor receives PUA benefits, am I responsible for paying back the money?

No. If the investigation finds that you were a victim of an impostor, you will not need to pay back the money.

What if I’ve been a victim of an impostor, can I still apply for benefits if I need to?

Yes. We’ll be able to distinguish your legitimate claim from a fraudulent one.

For Additional Information click here

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

VISAYAN: CEBUANO

Gakinahanglan ka ba ug tabang sa imong pinulongan? Amo kang mahatagan ug libre nga maghuhubad. Tawag sa (808-586-8842) aron magpahibalo kung unsa ang imong sinulti-han.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

TIẾNG VIỆT: VIETNAMESE

Bạn có cần giúp đỡ bằng ngôn ngữ khác không ? Chúng tôi se yêu cầu một người thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bạn. Gọi (808-586-8842) nói cho chúng tôi biết bạn dùng ngôn ngữ nào.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ภาษาไทย:THAI

คุณต้องการความช่วยเหลือทางด้านภาษาหรือไม่ ทางเราจะจัดหาล่ามฟรีให้คุณ โทรที่เบอร์ (808-586-8842) และบอกเราว่าคุณพูดภาษาอะไร

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

TAGALOG: TAGALOG

Kailangan ba ninyo ng tulong sa ibang lengguwahe? Ikukuha namin kayo ng libreng tagasalin. Tumawag sa (808-586-8842) para sabihin kung anong lengguwahe ang nais ninyong gamitin.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ESPAÑOL: SPANISH

¿Necesita ayuda en otro idioma? Nosotros le ayudaremos a conseguir un intérprete gratuito. Llame al (808-586-8842) y diganos que idioma habla.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

GAGANA SAMOA: SAMOAN

E te mana’o mia se fesosoani i se isi gagana? Matou te fesosoani e ave atu fua se faaliliu upu mo oe. Vili mai i le numera lea (808-586-8842) pea e mana’o mia se fesosoani mo se faaliliu upu.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

KAJIN MAJÔL: MARSHALLESE

Kwoj aikuij ke jiban kin juon bar kajin? Kim naj lewaj juon am dri ukok eo ejjelok wonen. Kirtok (808-586-8842) im kwalok non kim kajin ta eo kwo melele im kenono kake.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

한국어: KOREAN

다른언어로 도움이 필요하십니까? 저희가 무료로 통역을 제공합니다. (808-586-8842) 로 전화해서 사용하는 언어를 알려주십시요

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

日本語 (JAPANESE)

貴方は、他の言語に、助けを必要としていますか ? 私たちは、貴方のために、無料で 通訳を用意で きます。電話番号の、(808-586-8842)に、電話して、私たちに貴方の話されている言語を申し出てください。

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ILOKANO: ILOCANO

Masapulyo kadi ti tulong iti sabali a pagsasao? Ikkandakayo iti libre nga paraipatarus. Awaganyo ti (808-586-8842) tapno ibagayo kadakami no ania ti pagsasao nga ar-aramatenyo.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

中文 – CHINESE MANDARIN

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8842), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務  (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8842), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

中文 – CHINESE CANTONESE

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8842), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務  (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8842), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI: HAWAIIAN

Makemake `oe i kokua i pili kekahi `olelo o na `aina `e? Makemake la maua i ki`i `oe mea unuhi manuahi. E kelepona (808-586-8842)`oe ia la kaua a e ha`ina `oe ia la maua mea `olelo o na `aina `e.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

KAPASEN CHUUK: CHUUKESE

En mi niit alilis lon pwal eu kapas? Sipwe angei emon chon chiaku ngonuk ese kamo. Kokori (808-586-8842) omw kopwe ureni kich meni kapas ka ani.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.