If someone used your name or information to apply for Unemployment:

• Use the Department of Unemployment Assistance’s form or call (877) 626-6800 to report fraud.
• Put a fraud alert on your credit report. The three credit reporting agencies are: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Call one company and ask them to put a fraud alert on all three of your reports.
• Call your local police department and file a police report about the fraud.

To learn more, see the Massachusetts Report Identity Theft page.

If the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) asks you to prove your identity, they will send you a letter or email asking you to use the website ID.me to send them proof of your identity.

1. Collect:

• Photos of the front and back of your driver's license or other government-issued photo ID.
• Your Social Security number.
• You also need your phone number and ​email address.

2. Set up an account on the Massachusetts DUA ID.me website

• Use your email address.
• Use the same password you use for your Unemployment Insurance account.
• They email you a link.
• Click on the link.

3. Set up Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication stops anyone else from getting into your account. Even if they have your username and password they cannot get into your account.

• Choose “Text Message or Phone Call.”
• Enter your phone number.
• They will text or call you with a 6-digit code.
• Enter the code into the webpage.

4. Verify your Identity

Upload photos of your picture ID or answer questions about your credit report.

Photos of your picture ID

• Upload photos of the front and back of your ID, or
• Enter your cell phone number to use your cell phone camera to take photos of your ID.
  
   
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  • They will text you a link.
  • Tap the link.
  • Tap on “Take a photo” and focus the camera on the front of your photo ID to take a picture of the front of your ID.
  • Turn your ID over and tap on the Back side “Take a photo.” Focus your camera on it and take a picture of the back of your ID.
  • Click "Continue".
  • Enter your Social Security Number when they ask for it.

Answer questions about your credit report

• Answer the multiple-choice questions about your loans, where you live, and your cars.
• Type in your Social Security Number when they ask for it.

5. ID.me may need more information from you.

They may ask to set up a video session so they can see you and ask you questions. ID.me will ask you to pick a time for the session.

Do not go on a call or give personal information if you are not sure if the invitation is from ID.me. See ID.me’s information about video conferencing.

6. Almost done

• Check the box “Accept” if the information about you is true.
• Tap “Continue.”
• Click “Allow and Continue” to send your information to DUA.

The DUA also has PDF instructions to verify your identity using ID.me.

If you were denied Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits because you couldn’t verify your identity, you may still be eligible for benefits. If DUA denies your claim, they send you a denial letter. If they denied your claim because you did not upload proof of your identity, the letter explains how to appeal their decision. See How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Insurance in Massachusetts.

If you give DUA copies of the documents they need, they will look at the identity verification issue again, even if you missed the appeal deadline.

You can file an appeal if you haven’t done so already. Even if your appeal is late (after 10 days of getting your decision), DUA should allow your appeal. DUA may schedule you for a hearing for the identity verification issue.

Be prepared to show copies of the following:

• Front and back of a valid government issued photo identification card;
• Front and back of your Social Security card; and
• If the address on your photo ID doesn’t match the address on file with DUA, you may need to show proof of your address. This can be a copy of your lease, bank statement, or utility bill.

You can write to the DUA and ask them to "redetermine the decision under Section 71 of the law."

Director of the DUA 
Department of Unemployment Assistance 
100 Cambridge Street 
Boston, MA 02114

You can also call your state legislator to ask for help.