In an attempt to stem a recent wave of fraudulent activity aimed at stealing jobless benefits, Kentucky's unemployment office is making all active claimants re-register their online accounts using more complex passwords.
Cyber criminals are using compromised personal information, such as Social Security numbers, and are taking advantage of simple PINs to hack into unemployment accounts and divert payments.
Kentuckians recently reported their personal identification number, used to access their online account, had been changed without their knowledge. Some also reported their banking information had been altered.
On April 9, the state took the sweeping step of shutting down the website Kentuckians use to file new claims and request benefits. The site is set to go back online at 7 a.m. EST Tuesday, said Amy Cubbage, Gov. Andy Beshear's general counsel.
Earlier:In sweeping step to stop fraud, Kentucky to shut down unemployment system to fix problems
Cubbage said last week that officials were still assessing how many current benefit recipients have been affected.
The state has set up a call center to help people re-register and is also mailing people important information needed to set up a more secure account.
Here's what else benefit recipients need to know about the increased security measures.
What do I have to do?
All current benefit recipients will need to register again (or, in some cases, register for the first time) on the state’s unemployment website. The state is making people re-register and create more complex passwords to better combat fraud attempts.
Even those who recently created an account on the state's new public-facing claimant portal that launched in mid-March will need to go through this new registration process.
- Log on to uiclaimsportal.ky.gov or visit the unemployment homepage, kcc.ky.gov, to start the registration process.
- Create a new 12-character password using a mix of letters, numbers and special characters, such as a question or exclamation mark.
- Claimants will need an email account. They will need to verify the email address using a process called two-factor authentication. The state will send a code to the email address, which claimants will then need to enter during the re-registration process.
- Use the new eight-digit PIN included in the letter that the state has mailed out.
- Once successfully re-registered, review all your information and ensure it’s correct.
What is the state mailing me?
Starting April 9, the state’s Office of Unemployment Insurance began mailing paper letters to all active claimants. This letter contains a new eight-digit PIN that people will need to use when creating their new online account.
However, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday afternoon that “the majority” of recipients will not have received their letter by the time the online portal reopens at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
As of Monday, 100,000 were mailed. Remaining letters will be mailed Tuesday, Cubbage said.
What if I don’t get a letter in the mail?
The state is dedicating up to 150 workers to staff a call center focused solely on helping people re-register for an online unemployment account.
People can call 502-564-2900 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST starting April 13. Beshear said the call center will operate for 10 days.
These workers will not be able to help callers with any other unemployment-related questions or issues.
Account information changed:Kentucky warns unemployment filers to double-check payment info after reports of hacking
Beshear warned of long hold times and noted that the call center will only have 50 people answering calls during the first and last hour of the day.
The governor asked those who aren't due to request benefits this week to hold off on using the call center and instead wait for their letter to arrive in the mail.
What if I was supposed to request payment while the website was down?
While the state has not issued specific advice for those who weren’t able to request payment when the unemployment system was taken offline, Cubbage said April 8 that "no one will lose out on their chance to request those weeks of benefits."
For those who had to wait to file a new claim, unemployment workers will be able to backdate any new initial claims.
Will I have to refile my claim?
No, do not open a new claim. The new security requirements are to create a new online account, not a new benefit claim.
The state’s computer system will recognize the new registration and link it to existing claims, state officials say.
This story may be updated.
Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at [email protected], 502-582-4989 or on Twitter @mattglo.
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