Many California residents received a notice on Dec. 31 from the state’s agency in charge of unemployment benefits informing them that their payments had been frozen.
“You have been receiving unemployment benefits, but we have temporarily suspended your claim because it may be tied to fraudulent activity,” the notices read.
California’s Employment Development Department said they have strengthened their fraud detection methods. For accounts deemed to be “higher risk,” the EDD is asking people to provide documentation to re-verify their identity before issuing payments resume.
