In the past 7 to 10 days, the members of this department have fielded several complaints of possible identity theft from residents who have receive PA unemployment checks in the mail. All of the individuals filing the complaints stated they did not file a claim for unemployment but were notified by their employer of the claims. Each subsequently received a check in the mail for their "claim". At this time, we are not sure why there is such a volume of complaints in such a short period of time. We are attempting to contact the Pennsylvania Labor and Industry to see if this may be related to their new UC System roll out or if there has been a wide spread fraud attempt they have a problem with. 

In the mean time, anyone who has received notice of an unemployment claim filing and/or received a check, should follow the following instructions from the PA Unemployment website. Please note, it is considered fraudulent for anyone to cash the unemployment checks you have not applied for. 

Anyone who receives a paper check in the mail and did not file for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania should not cash the checks. Cashing the checks knowing that you have not applied for PUA or any other UC program may be deemed fraud and repayment will be required.

Individuals should write "void" on the check and return it to:

Pennsylvania Treasury Department 
651 Boas Street
Room 400 L&I Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Please include a brief signed statement with the reason you are returning the check and include your printed name, address, last four of your social security number, phone number and email address.

You can find additional information at https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/Report-Fraud-Here.aspx

There are links to report the suspect fraud online as well.