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DEW describes identity-fraud defenses and automated collections that boosted recoveries
Summary
Stanton told lawmakers the agency deployed IP‑monitoring, jail-record cross‑matches and automated wage‑record matching to prevent identity-theft fraud and increase overpayment recoveries from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually.
Cheryl Stanton described how the agency detects and recovers improper benefit payments. She said enhanced IP-address monitoring and cross-state information sharing prevented nearly $1 million in identity-theft losses and that automation of wage-record matching and collection letters increased recoveries from about $300,000 to multiple millions over several years.
Stanton explained collection tools the agency uses — voluntary payments, installment plans, involuntary wage withholdings (up to 25% of pay), federal and state tax intercepts — and that the agency works with the state attorney general and a full-time SLED agent on criminal fraud investigations. She said prosecution is a last resort after collection and administrative remedies are exhausted.
