State Warns to Watch Out For Unemployment Scams

The State of Michigan is warning unemployed workers to avoid using non-official State of Michigan websites that solicit fees or personal information in order to apply for unemployment benefits.

Recently, customers have reported receiving solicitations by email where they are asked to provide personal and financial information or are charged fees to file unemployment claims.

The Agency urges claimants to file unemployment insurance claims using the official State of Michigan website at www.michigan.gov/uia.

When filing a claim for unemployment benefits, individuals must be sure they are on the actual State of Michigan website. The website for Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency is www.michigan.gov/uia. If a website requests credit card information or attempts to register you for a kit for state or federal unemployment benefits or work search services, know that this did not originate from Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Customers also have the option of filing their unemployment benefit claims by phone at UIA's toll-free claims telephone line, 1-866-500-0017. Phone applications can be filed weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Additionally, UIA's website is available to accept unemployment claims between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  Customers should visit www.michigan.gov/uia and select “File an Unemployment Claim Online.”

The Agency communicates with claimants directly through their claim web accounts, which clients create when they register at its website. To register for an online claim web account, visit www.michigan.gov/uia and select “UIA Online Services for Unemployed Workers.”  Users will be taken to a login page where they can register and create their online account with the Agency.

(This press release was submitted by Michigan's department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.)