Did You Know?
The ability to remotely file unemployment insurance claims by phone has made the claims-filing process easier for both claimants and agencies. However, it's also given criminals a new channel through which they can defraud the system.
A simple, effective way to spot possible UI fraud is to analyze the telephone numbers from which the claims calls are made, but you first need to be sure your agency is capturing the phone numbers. One option is to capture the numbers at the time the agency receives a call. While this method usually involves some design, development and programming efforts by the agency call center, phone records are immediately available for analysis.
Another option is to obtain the originating phone numbers from the phone company. Though this method is less timely than the first, gathering the information is valuable, nevertheless. The cost of the telephone records is not prohibitive, and these can be accessed on an occasional basis.
If the originating phone numbers are captured as the calls are received by the agency, they don't need to be recorded for every call. At least one state has found it effective to capture the phone numbers of originating calls for initial claims, continued claims, reopened claims, address changes and PIN changes.
Once the phone numbers are gathered, they can be readily analyzed with a tool like On Point Technology's Aware software, which can track inbound calls to your 800 number in order to detect organized claims-fraud patterns. No matter how you capture the numbers, you are providing yet another safeguard to protect your agency against UI fraud. To learn how On Point Technology's software applications can enhance your agency's efforts to combat fraud, call Bob Yokavonus at 908-526-0426 or e-mail robert.yokavonus@onpointtech.com.
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