New York Unemployment Fraud

As unemployment increases and more people struggle to make ends meet during difficult economic times, Unemployment Fraud is rising. A New York Unemployment Fraud Lawyer recognizes the gravity of a charge of Unemployment Fraud, and knows that over the past several years, the New York State Department of Labor has mounted an aggressive campaign to stop it. At Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, we understand that an individual who commits it might not even understand how serious this crime can be, and we are prepared to consult with you for free if you have been charged with Unemployment Fraud.

The enhanced enforcement effort to stop Unemployment Fraud is built on increased coordination among agencies—the State Labor Department began cooperating more closely with law enforcement agencies including the State Police and the office of the District Attorney in New York City, as well as in Westchester and on Long Island in both Suffolk County and Nassau County.

You can be charged with Unemployment Fraud if you collect unemployment benefits while you are still working, perhaps by claiming to be someone else when you apply for benefits, or by taking an off-the-books job, working on a cash basis, or failing to report other sources of income. Any deliberate misrepresentation of your employment status or your identity will be considered fraudulent.

While receiving jobless benefits, you are required to actively be seeking work. If you do not do so, or if you lie about being capable of working, this will also be considered a crime. Employers, too, can be charged with Unemployment Fraud if they knowingly provide misleading information about the status of any of their employees, or about the wages those employees are earning.

The new level of cooperation seen between the State Labor Department, law enforcement, and state prosecutors has improved the ability to both identify and prosecute Unemployment Fraud. You shouldn't mistakenly believe that because your actions seemed small they are not serious. New York State considers Unemployment Fraud a large-scale, multi-million-dollar problem. And you need an experienced Unemployment Fraud Lawyer at your side to defend against the aggressive prosecution of any Unemployment Fraud charges—as well as to mitigate any resulting penalties, from serving jail time to paying heavy penalties.

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC by calling 800.696.9529 today. We offer a free consultation with an experienced Unemployment Fraud Lawyer at our New York City offices in any of the five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island, or Queens. You can also meet with us in our Westchester County office, or in our offices in Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island.