Important Information for Victims of Unemployment Insurance Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Zoe.calkins@arkansas.gov

LITTLE ROCK- Jan. 20, 2021—The Division of Workforce Services will begin mailing 1099 forms to unemployment insurance claimants on January 27, 2021. Individuals who receive a 1099 form from DWS, who did not file for unemployment insurance in the 2020 tax year, could be victims of fraud.

If you receive a 1099 form but you did not file for unemployment insurance, you should report the potential fraud to DWS immediately and file a police report. Once you have filed a police report, you will need to submit a copy of the police report to DWS.

To report potential fraud to DWS, send an email to ADWS.InternalAudit@arkansas.gov or call 501-682-1058 to speak with the DWS Fraud Investigation Unit.

In order to fully resolve the allegation, you must file a police report for possible identity theft and submit a copy of your police report to DWS.

You may submit a copy of your police report electronically by emailing ADWS.InternalAudit@arkansas.gov or in-person at your nearest Arkansas Division of Workforce Services office (ADWS) (find a location at www.dws.arkansas.gov/contact.)

Claims cannot be fully resolved without the information requested. Failure to resolve the issue may result in the issuance of an IRS 1099-G for any benefits paid.

If you have already submitted a copy of your police report to DWS, no further action is necessary.

Some individuals that have already submitted their police reports may still initially receive a 1099 when they are issued. However, once the police report is fully processed, DWS will issue a corrected 1099 reflecting zero unemployment compensation.

Please email ADWS.InternalAudit@arkansas.gov or call 501-682-1058 to speak with the DWS Fraud Investigation Unit.