Contact: Jason Moon 517-282-0041

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today warned residents of attempts by criminals to file imposter claims in pursuit of benefits. The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) recently issued a national alert regarding an international criminal ring exploiting the COVID-19 crisis to commit largescale fraud against state unemployment programs. The UIA, Michigan State Police Cyber Command and Dept. of Technology Management and Budget Cybersecurity are coordinating with the USSS to obtain cyber threat indicators related to national fraud activity. No personal data from claimants has been stolen from the UIA.

Imposter claims are filed using previously stolen or fraudulent personal information. The expanded benefits available under the newly created federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program has resulted in increased activity among criminals particularly those posing as self-employed workers or independent contractors to illegally obtain benefits. The USSS has indicated that states already targeted include Washington, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Florida.

Using information from federal and state law enforcement, the UIA has developed additional fraud protections, including additional requirements to verify identity and authenticate claim eligibility. These changes could impact both new and existing claimants but are made using the latest understanding of how criminals are gaining access to benefits. Some existing claimants may have received “Stop Payment” notices on their accounts and have been sent instructions on how to submit the additional information. Certain financial institutions may also place a hold on a customer’s account if it believes there is suspicious activity. Customers should contact their institution directly if this occurs.

“There is a rise in unlawful unemployment claims across the nation and unfortunately criminals are taking advantage of this global pandemic. Michiganders who suspect an imposter claim has been filed in their name should contact the UIA immediately,” said UIA Director Steve Gray. “We are working with law enforcement to identify and prevent scammers from accessing the system and will work to ensure all unemployment benefits are sent to the Michigan workers that deserve them.”

The UIA continues to work with law enforcement to determine the level of unlawful unemployment activity in Michigan. When the UIA becomes aware of potentially malicious claims, it takes quick action to temporarily suspend certain payments to prevent fraud. The UIA will continue to work with its partners, which also include the USSS, U.S. Office of Inspector General and U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify, locate and begin to bring these criminals to justice.

Imposter Claims: Individuals use stolen or false personal information to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits. Tips to prevent unemployment identity theft can be found online. No personal data from claimants has been stolen from the UIA.

How to protect against unemployment identity theft:

When an individual files a claim for unemployment insurance, they will receive a written Monetary Determination letter. If you receive this letter (Form UIA 1575C) and you have not applied for unemployment benefits, or the name on the form is not yours, you may be a victim of identity theft. If this happens, contact the UIA immediately online at Michigan.gov/UIA  through the Report Identity Theft link. More tips on how to prevent unemployment identity theft in Michigan are available online.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

With efforts to re-engage Michigan’s economy underway through recent executive orders signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Pure Michigan Business Connect program through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has developed a portal specifically designed to support the personal protective equipment (PPE) needs of Michigan businesses as they start the process of re-opening.

“We want to ensure we are opening up in a way that is safe, smart and does not undo the progress we have made in flattening the curve of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “Through the PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform we can help employers access the PPE they need to ensure their employees feel safe returning to work, while also supporting Michigan businesses that will be critical to economic recovery efforts.”

Through the free PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform, the PMBC team will work to connect those businesses in need of access to PPE – including face masks, face shields, gloves, goggles and other materials as necessary to ensure the health and safety of their employees and customers – with Michigan businesses that have supplier capacity to meet that demand.

The online portal can be accessed at www.michiganbusiness.org/ppe and is open to companies of all sizes and industries and is available for all scales of PPE demand.

“This platform is serving as a critical tool in supporting economic recovery efforts across the state,” said Mark A. Burton, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “This next phase builds on successful efforts through PMBC to support the production of more than 5.5 million individual PPE supplies in Michigan as well as connect health and human service needs in the fight against COVID-19 with Michigan businesses providing critical supplies.”

Both Michigan businesses in need of PPE, as well as business with goods and services that might be able to support organizations in safeguarding their employees and customers as they transition to in-person operations, are encouraged to submit information on the portal. Those businesses with supplier capabilities may be added to a supplier database that will then be made available to businesses with PPE procurement needs. While PMBC will curate an initial list of suppliers, the businesses themselves will be responsible for reaching out to suppliers directly to inquire about procurement needs.

Upon receiving supplier submissions through the platform, the PMBC team is checking to determine whether these entities have reputable websites, email contacts and products that would support the demand for various forms of PPE throughout the state. Businesses using this list of suppliers are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence as well, as the PMBC team and MEDC do not make any representations about the quality of the goods or services provided by each entity nor guarantee they will have immediate supply stock or service availability.

“We have a proven model for connecting buyers with a vast network of suppliers across Michigan,” said Natalie Chmiko, Vice President, Pure Michigan Business Connect & International Trade at the MEDC. “As we focus those efforts on the urgent need for non-medical grade PPE, we will be able to both streamline the procurement process and help Michigan businesses find new opportunities for growth while helping to keep Michigan’s workforce safe.”

In March, PMBC launched its free, online procurement platform, including donations from suppliers capable of filling health and human service needs across a broad range of product and service categories. The platform provided direct access to businesses within the state providing supplies including personal protection equipment, food, medical devices, paper products, cleaning equipment and more. To date, more than 900 Michigan companies with procurement needs registered through the portal along with nearly 1,800 suppliers, including Detroit City Distillery.

Detroit City Distillery adapted its manufacturing facility in 72 hours to produce hand sanitizer for the region’s first responders and frontline workers in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to the support of Pure Michigan Business Connect’s COVID-19 Procurement Platform, the company was able to distribute more than 21,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to health care institutions, municipalities and other essential businesses across the region, including 5,000 gallons to the Michigan State Emergency Operations Center and Michigan State Police.

Helping to drive the ‘Arsenal of Innovation’ in the state, twelve small businesses and nonprofits around Michigan were also awarded a total of $1 million through the Pure Michigan Business Connect COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program. The program, launched in April, offered grant funding for small manufacturers looking to retool and produce critical health and human service supplies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and is expected to support the production of more than 5.5 million individual PPE supplies.

To learn more about MEDC’s COVID-19 response programs and the impact they are having on economic recovery efforts, visit michiganbusiness.org/covid19response. Other resources for businesses across Michigan struggling with economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 virus can be found online at michiganbusiness.org/covid19. The MEDC has also developed a FAQ for Michigan businesses and communities at michiganbusiness.org/covid19-faq.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.