'Dramatic' Uptick In Unemployment Fraud Logged In Region

SOUTH BAY, CA — Two area law enforcement agencies are reporting a rampant rise in fraudulent unemployment claims, namely aimed at the Employment Development Department, hitting residential mailboxes.

"Due to the pandemic, we have seen a dramatic increase in unemployment fraud through EDD," the Torrance Police Department said this week. With the Manhattan Beach Police Department recently stating: "The past few days have been jam-packed with thievery involving unemployment fraud, specifically EDD debit-card scams."

The fraudsters, in short, apply for EDD debit cards under false pretenses, some including deceased persons and young children, and then withdraw the funds via ATMs as soon as they enter the accounts, officials said.

One local shop owner wrote on Facebook that she received some 50 such letters "with all different names" to her business. "My mail lady was like do (you) know these people?" she said.

Another individual stated she "received over 20 claims to my address of people I don't know!"

With yet another noting: "My rental in LA has a bunch of EDD mail, and no such (persons) there."

Anyone who receives mail from the EDD in their name, but did not apply for it, or mail in someone else's name who is not a household member, is advised to turn over the fraudulent letters to local police, authorities said.

"It's really sickening that those who really need the money are having trouble getting their benefits, yet the scumbag frauds seem to easily cheat the system," one Facebook user added.

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