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DEW outlines fraud prevention, identity‑theft defenses and stepped‑up collections
Summary
Director Stanton told lawmakers the agency has strengthened fraud detection and collection efforts — including IP monitoring, jail‑record cross‑matches and wage withholdings — which have increased recoveries and prevented roughly $1 million in identity‑theft losses in recent years.
Director Cheryl Stanton described steps DEW has taken to reduce improper payments and recover overpayments. She said the agency uses IP‑address monitoring and interstate data sharing to detect suspect claims and has prevented almost $1 million in identity‑theft losses in recent years. Stanton said DEW cross‑matches state corrections and other data and contracted for more frequent jail‑record feeds to catch claims filed by incarcerated individuals.
Stanton also described automated wage‑record analysis and collection efforts that raised recoveries from about $300,000 in 2013 to several million dollars annually. She said the agency now offers installment plans, uses statutory involuntary wage withholdings (up to 25 percent of wages) and has a full‑time SLED agent assigned to help investigate UI fraud and assist with prosecutions when warranted.
On prosecutions, Stanton said the department prioritizes getting money back to the trust fund and only pursues criminal cases when fraud is clear and recovery options are exhausted. Committee members asked about normal collection timelines and whether the agency offers flexible repayment options; Stanton said options include one‑time payments, installment plans and statutory wage withholdings.
