Pandemic-related fraud totaled billions California is trying to get some of it back HEAD TOPICS

Pandemic-related fraud totaled billions California is trying to get some of it back

10/21/2022 7:30:00 AM

A special task force is investigating claims and freezing accounts to determine who legitimately qualifies for the relief money About $20 billion in unemployment money was stolen by criminals

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KPBS News

A special task force is investigating claims and freezing accounts to determine who legitimately qualifies for the relief money About $20 billion in unemployment money was stolen by criminals A special task force is investigating claims and freezing accounts to determine who legitimately qualifies for the relief money About $20 billion in unemployment money was stolen by criminals .But the state has not yet conducted a forensic audit of the fraud. And Talcove says the added protections are simply not enough."They are still getting their pockets picked," he says."We go on to the dark web every day and monitor these criminal groups that are stealing from the unemployment insurance agencies. And we see it." In just the past few weeks, he says he's seen outside criminal groups from Russia and elsewhere boasting they could still cheat the state's jobless program. The groups, Talcove says,"were advertising their sauce to get into the state of California, which included purchasing a fake driver's license that gets through their system." Read more:
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Sincerely, Five Guys Free People Sale: Score a $400 Jacket for $99, Intimates for $20 & More Fashionable Finds Under $100 - E! OnlineHead over to Free People for some amazing deals on all their chic and playful clothing, intimates, accessories and more. Spammmmmmmmmm among other moves .GDPR Cookie Compliance Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible.home security system , Arlo is expanding into the growing market of family tracking and personal safety apps., we've got you covered with the coolest products for any kind of girl. But the state has not yet conducted a forensic audit of the fraud. And Talcove says the added protections are simply not enough. Strictly Necessary Cookies Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. "They are still getting their pockets picked," he says. If it’s no longer pressed, Arlo’s security team will attempt to contact you and call authorities to your location, and your emergency contacts will be alerted as well."We go on to the dark web every day and monitor these criminal groups that are stealing from the unemployment insurance agencies. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. And we see it. " In just the past few weeks, he says he's seen outside criminal groups from Russia and elsewhere boasting they could still cheat the state's jobless program. Arlo Safe is entering a market that is largely dominated by Life360’s popular family protection service, which reported 42 million active users in its Q2 earnings this year. The groups, Talcove says,"were advertising their sauce to get into the state of California, which included purchasing a fake driver's license that gets through their system." Some California lawmakers are frustrated and outraged by what they see as a slow trickle of money recovery and limited accountability. "The state of California has to stop patting itself on the back that they're doing something. A boxed bundle that includes two of the Arlo Safe buttons and a year subscription is available at Best Buy for $119. This is patchwork," says Patterson, the Republican state Assemblyman. "We only got a billion back out of maybe 30 or 35 billion. That's a terrible batting average. We've got to do a whole lot better than that." Patterson says his office today still gets flooded with calls from constituents having a terrible time getting their legitimate jobless claims filled while too few fraudsters have been convicted. Haywood Talcove says the level of pandemic fraud nationally shows every state should be doing more to lock down their systems against fraud. "Not just for unemployment insurance, for their tax departments, for their SNAP, for their TANF benefits, making sure there's an enterprise approach to identity," he says."What makes anyone think that those criminals aren't now headed into other programs after they just robbed the United States Treasury of $250 billion dollars?" In California, law enforcement and others point to a bill recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom making it easier for prosecutors and police to seize assets , including cars and property, from people who defrauded the unemployment program. "We've got a case going right now where the guy bought a motorcycle and we know he did it with EDD money," special counsel Scott says."So we've taken the motorcycle. " He says state expects to soon recover another large sum from unemployment debit cards that still have money on them but have been frozen because of fraud indicators. Ultimately, Scott concedes, there likely will be billions unrecovered. "There's no doubt there will be a certain amount that will have to be written off at the end," he says."What that number is, I don't know yet." Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. National Eric Westervelt Eric Westervelt is a San Francisco-based correspondent for NPR's National Desk. He has reported on major events for the network from wars and revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa to historic wildfires and terrorist attacks in the U. S. Sign up for our newsletters! Keep up with all the latest news, arts and culture, and TV highlights from KPBS. Email address .