Unemployment fraud
According to state and federal laws, it is a crime to misrepresent facts, fail to disclose facts, or make false statements to get unemployment benefits. To avoid committing unemployment fraud, you must report:
- All work and gross earnings, including tips
- All facts affecting your availability for work, such as an illness, self-employment, or confinement (including house arrest)
- If you fail to go to a job referral
- If you refuse a job
All work, including self-employment, must be reported when the work is performed, even if you do not receive any payment at the time. There are severe penalties if you submit false statements or withhold information about employment and earnings.
- If you are found guilty of committing fraud, you may receive a jail sentence of one to five years and a maximum fine of $5,000.
- If you receive larger benefit payments than you should because of fraud, you must pay back the amount of the overpayment plus a penalty (fine).