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Fraud for Employers FAQs

For complete information, visit Help Fight Fraud.

How are fraudulent claims prevented?

The EDD and employers work together to prevent fraudulent claims. When someone files an Unemployment Insurance claim, we ask for identifying information. We notify the last employer, former employers, and current employers when a claim is filed. Employers also help us determine if a claim was filed by the correct person.

The following documents help us prevent fraudulent claims:

Notice of Unemployment Insurance Claim Filed (DE 1101CZ) (PDF) (sent to the last employer when a UI claim is filed).
Notice of Wages Used for Unemployment Insurance Claim (DE 1545) (PDF) (sent to base period employers when benefits are paid).
Benefit Audit (DE 1296B) (PDF) (sent to an employer who reports wages for a Social Security number during the same calendar quarter that UI benefits were paid under that Social Security number).

Review Benefit Audit Forms for information on how to respond to certain forms you may receive from the EDD.

I already responded to a Department notice about one of my employees. Why did I get a Request for Additional Information (DE 1326ER)?

You received the DE 1326ER because there is a question about the identity of the person who filed the Unemployment Insurance claim, and we need your help to confirm claim information provided by that person. Mail the completed form, and any other additional documentation, within 10 days of the mailing date on the DE 1326ER. The information you provide will help ensure that all charges made against your account are correct.

Why did I receive duplicate Request for Additional Information (DE 1326ER) forms?

When a claim is filed, we send the DE 1326ER form to base period and last employers. Our system recognizes duplicate employer names and will not mail the DE 1326ER when the employer names are an exact match. However, if the person who filed the unemployment claim did not provide us with the exact employers' names, our system will mail a DE 1326ER to each employer name. For example:

A woman reports that she worked for John Brown and Company.
The employer’s correct name is Brown and Company.

In this example, the employer would receive a duplicate DE 1326ER because the employer names are not an exact match. Our system would mail a form to each employer name: one to John Brown and Company and one to Brown and Company.

What is the EDD doing to prevent Social Security numbers that have been used fraudulently from being used fraudulently again?

We have measures in place to alert us about possible identity theft. When we identify situations where identity theft may have occurred, we quickly take steps to obtain more information and ensure that legitimate claimants receive benefit payments in a timely manner.

Will my reserve account be charged for fraudulent Unemployment Insurance claims?

If you are a tax-rated employer, any incorrect charges will be removed. If you are a reimbursable employer, your account will be charged for any payments that were issued.

For more information about your reserve or reimbursable account, call one of the following:

Contribution Rate Group (for tax-rated employers): 916-653-7795
Reimbursable Accounting Group (for reimbursable employers): 916-653-5846

Why did I receive a Request for Information (DE 1326E) when I have never filed an Unemployment Insurance claim?

You received this notice because an Unemployment Insurance claim was filed using the Social Security number listed on the notice, and there is a question about the identity of the person who filed the claim.

Complete the form and provide the requested documentation to verify ownership of the Social Security number. We need your help to make sure benefits are paid only to people who are legally entitled to receive benefits.