Delaware State Police said Monday that they have seen an increase in identity-theft cases related to unemployment fraud claims across the state and want to warn citizens, so they can avoid becoming victims.

As a result of COVID-19, government-assisted programs and citizens in need of employment opportunities have increased. The number of unemployment claims and fraudulent unemployment claims also has increased, leading to a strain on the unemployment-claims system, DSP said.

In Delaware, a number of unemployment fraud cases are being completed online, when an individual establishes an account using the victim’s name to file an unemployment claim. If funds are paid out, in rare cases, an attempt to divert the funds to a different location is conducted before disbursement, so the person completing the fraud claim receives the money. The victim in these cases becomes aware of the attempted identity theft when they receive a letter in the mail from the Department of Labor indicating their unemployment claim was denied.

DSP said Delawareans should carefully review their mail for items that may appear to be spam at first glance because Delawareans have received fraudulent unemployment paperwork from other states in addition to Delaware’s DOL.

Unfortunately, DSP said, there are no additional steps to take to avoid becoming a victim of unemployment fraud identity theft. Individuals can use traditional identity-theft protection measures to help protect themselves from becoming a victim.

DSP said a reminder of general identity-theft protection precautions would include:

• If you are the victim of unemployment-benefits fraud, contact the DOL to report the issue at uifraud@delaware.gov.

• If you are currently employed and received a notice in the mail regarding your application for unemployment, make your employer aware because they may also be victimized.

• Be aware of your digital footprint and take continual steps to secure your online presence. Remember to change passwords frequently and do not use your birth date, 1234, etc., as a password; use secure internet connections; and only enter your personal or credit card information into a secured site (the padlock will be located in the search bar).

• Be aware of fake websites, text messages, phone calls and emails soliciting your personal information and do not respond to them.

• You may be at greater risk of identity theft if you are a known victim of a prior data breach. Take advantage of any offered credit monitoring from these exposures.

• Monitor your credit regularly. There are many additional applications for credit monitoring beyond regularly reviewing your bank and credit card statements, such as LifeLock, MyIDCare or PrivacyArmor.

For additional information, the Federal Trade Commission offers a detailed interactive guide to identity-theft recovery here.

Additional useful identity-theft scam websites and information can be located here.

In a statement, the DOL asked that “all Delawareans ... be vigilant in reporting possible fraudulent activity or identity theft.”

The DOL asked that all relevant information be emailed to uifraud@delaware.gov. Any information to support an investigation should be included, the DOL said.

Also, the DOL requested, incidents should be reported to a local police department and complaints should be filed with the Fraud and Consumer Protection Division at the state Attorney General’s Office.

To file a complaint, call 577-8600 or visit here.