Human Resources

Information Related to Fradulent Unemployment Claims

On May 29, 2020, the campus community was notified of the risk of fraudulent unemployment claims being submitted on behalf of UMass employees.

Multiple federal and state agencies are reporting an increase in fraudulent unemployment claims, apparently exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic.  This fraudulent activity seems to be particularly focused on public sector employees.  Within the UMass system, there have been several cases where unemployment claims have been fraudulently submitted to the state Department of Unemployment Assistance by unknown individuals posing as university employees.​

As the university is not able to file for unemployment on employees’ behalf, if an employee receives information (either via U.S. Mail or email) related to the filing of an unemployment claim that they did not submit, they should contact UMB HR and the DUA:​

The Office of Human Resources by email at HR@umb.edu.

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance

1. Email at DUA-verify@mass.gov

2. Phone at 617-727-6771​

3. Online at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/report-unemployment-benefits-fraud

Lastly, if employees receive claim information that they did not submit which contains their social security number, please also visit the Federal Trade Commission website, to learn more about how to protect your personal information, including a review of different monitoring options.