The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has been receiving fraudulent unemployment insurance *claims for actively working employees in Illinois. While Loyola University Chicago is one of many employers nationwide to have employees targeted by this fraudulent activity, there is no evidence of a breach of information at the University. Unemployment fraud is affecting all states nationally. Statewide, the number of reported unemployment fraud claims have reached over 120,000 individuals from numerous businesses.

*If the University receives an unemployment insurance claim from IDES on any active faculty or staff member, you will be contacted immediately by Human Resources to establish the validity of the claim. Human Resources will notify IDES that this is a fraudulent claim and will contest the claim. You will then be provided with detailed information on how to safeguard your personal information and any further actions necessary.

Identity Protection
In an effort to mitigate identity theft and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims filed in your name, we recommend the following:

1. Review your credit report for inaccuracies (i.e. fraudulent activities) via annualcreditreport.com.
2. Place a fraud alert and/or credit freeze on your credit report with the three credit bureaus:
1. Equifax – equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance
2. Experian - experian.com/fraud
3. TransUnion - transunion.com/fraud
3. Review your financial information for inaccuracies (i.e. new bank accounts, credit cards, etc., that you did not open).
4. Access free identity theft protection publications available through the Federal Trade Commission.

Fraudulent Activity Reporting
If your personal information has been stolen or you believe a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim was filed in your name, file an Identity Theft report online with the Federal Trade Commission. Alternatively, you can file a fraudulent insurance claim with the Illinois Department of Employment Security via phone (800) 814-0513 or use their online Contact Form. Select one reporting option only.

IDES 1099-G Resource

• IDES has established a 1099-G page on the Department’s website (ides.illinois.gov/1099G) to provide answers to frequently asked questions, along with directional guidance should an individual feel they have received a 1099-G in error.

If necessary, we will update this webpage with additional information about next steps that LUC faculty and staff should complete if they are impacted by fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.