New York State Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance

Warnings & Advisories

Beware of Scams

If you collect UI, beware of emails or text messages that ask you to disclose personal information, such as your:

• Social Security Number
• Direct Payment Card number and
• PIN number

This is a clear sign of fraud.

No reputable company or financial institution will contact you out of the blue and ask you to share any personal information, including account and PIN numbers.

Report Fraud

If you think your Direct Payment Card account has been compromised, please call the number on the back of the card

For details on telemarketing fraud, and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim, visit the Federal Trade Commission site and read "Putting Telephone Scams on Hold".

Please note: We've received many reports of a fraudulent text message that targets UI claimants. The message says: "Customer Issue Chase & JP Morgan Prepaid Card froze please call (916) 944-3886." It then asks debit card holders to provide their PIN numbers and Social Security number. DO NOT DO THIS. If you receive this message, please do not answer. You can report it to the Department of Labor's Fraud Hotline at (888) 598-2077.

Avoid Companies That Charge You for Claim Services

There are persons or companies that charge a fee to help customers complete or file Unemployment Insurance claims. They imply that they have a connection to the NYS Department of Labor. THIS IS FALSE. Customers in New York State should continue to file their claims for UI through our web site or by phone. We take all claims in the order that we receive them. Using a paid service to file your claim will not make it go faster.

Verify Receipt of Benefits

To protect yourself against fraud and make sure that your banking information is correct, please check the deposit of your benefits in your personal checking account or Direct Payment Card account. If you do not see your benefits in your account within four business days of the payment release date, call the Telephone Claim Center.

If you think someone has hacked your account information, call:

• Your bank (for Direct Deposit) or
• Chase Bank (if you are a Direct Payment Card user)
  

Reset Your PIN

For safety, we recommend that you reset your PIN on a regular basis or any time you think someone else knows it. Here is how you do it:

• Enter your SSN on the Benefits Online page
• Click on "Forgot PIN?"

Remember you should never tell anyone your PIN or write your PIN down where others can see it.

What if my on-line benefit payment history shows "0" under Remaining Balance?

If you qualify for more benefits under a new program, the system will adjust your balance amount the next time you claim benefits. Do not file a new unemployment claim, unless told to by the system.

If your address or phone number changes

You MUST update your contact information with the Department of Labor, if your address or phone number changes. It can delay your benefits if you:

• do not reply to documents sent to your address on record or
• fail to report to an appointment

The easiest way to update your address and phone number is on-line when you claim your weekly benefits. If you no longer claim benefits or need to change your address sooner, call the Telephone Claims Center.

You also must update your contact information for deposits.Contact:

• Chase Customer Service at (877) 221-1634 (for Direct Payment Card) or
• Your bank (for Direct Deposit)

You may not be eligible to claim benefits outside the United States...

If you travel to a foreign country (except Canada), you should not claim benefits while you are in the foreign country. Call the Telephone Claim Center before your trip to find out if you can protect your benefit rights while you're away.

If you claim Extended Benefits...

Do not claim extended benefits for any week when you failed to search for work for any reason. If you do, you may be disqualified from receiving benefits until you have worked for four (4) weeks and earned four (4) times your weekly benefit amount.