Hawaii unemployment fraud has two very different readers: the person who just got a letter or a 1099-G for a claim they never filed, and the claimant who wants to know what the state counts as fraud and what it costs.
This guide covers both — how to report Hawaii unemployment fraud, the identity-theft steps, how to get a corrected 1099-G, what counts as claimant fraud, the penalties and disqualification, and when it becomes a criminal case. Verified against Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as of October 2026.
Hawaii Unemployment Fraud at a Glance
| Report fraud | https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/?p=15935 |
| Hotline | 808-762-5752 or 833-901-2272 (toll-free). This is the UI Call Center, which the state’s identity-theft page tells victims to call. TTY users can dial 711 and ask for 808-586-8842. The state does not list a separate fraud-only hotline. |
| Penalty | HRS 383-44(b) says fraud overpayment decisions dated on or after October 1, 2013 must add a penalty equal to 15% of the overpaid amount. |
| Disqualification | Under HRS 383-30(5), a fraud finding disqualifies the claimant starting with the week the department makes the… |
| Criminal charge | Under HRS 383-141, knowingly making a false statement or hiding a material fact to get or increase benefits is a… |
In This Hawaii Unemployment Fraud Guide:
How to Report Hawaii Unemployment Fraud
Report it at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/?p=15935 or call 808-762-5752 or 833-901-2272 (toll-free). This is the UI Call Center, which the state’s identity-theft page tells victims to call. TTY users can dial 711 and ask for 808-586-8842. The state does not list a separate fraud-only hotline.. Reports can be made anonymously; the agency investigates both claimant and employer fraud.
Hawaii Unemployment Fraud in Your Name: If Someone Else Filed
- Report it to Hawaii if the claim was filed there, either by calling 808-762-5752 or 833-901-2272 or by mailing the Declaration of Identity Theft form (https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/files/2025/10/ISS-Declaration-of-Identity-Theft_Rev.07.2025.pdf)
- Expect that you may not get confirmation right away, and be ready to send more documents such as a police report or an affidavit
- File your income taxes by the regular deadline without waiting for a corrected 1099-G, and report only income you actually received; if you already filed, the state says not to file an amended return
- Check your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228
- If the theft happened during a disaster, you can also report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which notifies the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General
Getting a Corrected 1099-G
Report the identity theft to the Unemployment Insurance Division by phone or with the mailed Declaration of Identity Theft form, and include a copy of the 1099-G. The state says that after its review it will send you a corrected form and update your tax record with the IRS. Until then, the IRS says to file your return reporting only the income you actually received.
What Counts as Hawaii Unemployment Fraud by a Claimant
Under HRS 383-30(5), fraud means knowingly making a false statement or knowingly hiding an important fact to get benefits you are not owed. In plain words, that includes leaving out pay you earned while claiming, working while saying you were not, giving false job-search information, or misstating why your job ended.
Administrative rule HAR 12-5-67 says the department must find all four of these: a false statement or nondisclosure, that the fact was material, that it was done knowingly, and that it was done to get benefits.
Hawaii Unemployment Fraud Penalties and Disqualification
HRS 383-44(b) says fraud overpayment decisions dated on or after October 1, 2013 must add a penalty equal to 15% of the overpaid amount. The claimant must also repay the overpaid benefits under HRS 383-44(a). The overpayment, the penalty, costs and administrative fees may be taken from federal income tax refunds under 383-44(c). The state can also collect them through a civil action under 383-44(e).
The 15% penalty cannot be taken out of future benefits under 383-44(d). Under HRS 383-30(5), a fraud finding disqualifies the claimant starting with the week the department makes the determination. It lasts through the rest of that calendar month and the following 24 calendar months. No benefits are payable during that period. This disqualification is not imposed if criminal proceedings have been started under HRS 383-141.
When Hawaii Unemployment Fraud Becomes a Criminal Case
Under HRS 383-141, knowingly making a false statement or hiding a material fact to get or increase benefits is a misdemeanor if the benefit is 300 or less. It is a class C felony if the benefit is more than 300, and each false statement counts as a separate offense. No fine or jail can be imposed if the person has already been disqualified under HRS 383-30(5).
The Hawaii Supreme Court has held that a 383-141 violation does not bar a separate theft charge (67 H. 406, 1984).
Employer-Side Hawaii Unemployment Fraud
Misclassifying employees as contractors to avoid unemployment tax, or shifting payroll to dodge a higher rate, is employer fraud — workers can report it to the same agency.
📨 Get Free Unemployment And Workplace Rights Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Honest Mistakes Are Not Hawaii Unemployment Fraud
A wrong number on a weekly claim is a mistake, not fraud, if you correct it when you notice; fraud requires a knowing false statement. Fix it through the portal or by phone before the agency finds it.
Hawaii treats the 24-month fraud disqualification (HRS 383-30(5)) and criminal prosecution (HRS 383-141) as alternatives. If criminal proceedings are started, the disqualification is not imposed. If the disqualification has already been determined, no fine or jail can be imposed under 383-141.
Related: if the state says you were overpaid on your own claim, that is a different process — see the Hawaii overpayment guide for waivers, repayment plans and the appeal deadline.
Hawaii — the bottom line
- Report Hawaii unemployment fraud the same day you suspect it — an unreported claim in your name becomes an overpayment in your name.
- Hawaii unemployment fraud by a claimant means a knowing false statement; an honest mistake corrected promptly is not fraud.
- Penalties for Hawaii unemployment fraud stack: repayment, a monetary penalty, penalty weeks, and in large cases a criminal referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report unemployment fraud in Hawaii?
Use the state fraud page (https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/?p=15935) or call 808-762-5752 or 833-901-2272 (toll-free). This is the UI Call Center, which the state’s identity-theft page tells victims to call. TTY users can dial 711 and ask for 808-586-8842. The state does not list a separate fraud-only hotline..
Someone filed for unemployment in my name in Hawaii — what do I do?
Report it to Hawaii if the claim was filed there, either by calling 808-762-5752 or 833-901-2272 or by mailing the Declaration of Identity Theft form (https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/files/2025/10/ISS-Declaration-of-Identity-Theft_Rev.07.2025.pdf); Expect that you may not get confirmation right away, and be ready to send more documents such as a police report or an affidavit; File your income taxes by the regular deadline without waiting for a corrected 1099-G,
and report only income you actually received; if you already filed, the state says not to file an amended return; Check your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228; If the theft happened during a disaster, you can also report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which notifies the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General
What is the penalty for unemployment fraud in Hawaii?
HRS 383-44(b) says fraud overpayment decisions dated on or after October 1, 2013 must add a penalty equal to 15% of the overpaid amount. The claimant must also repay the overpaid benefits under HRS 383-44(a).
Is an honest mistake on a weekly claim fraud in Hawaii?
No. Correct it as soon as you notice; fraud requires a knowing false statement.
Official Hawaii Sources & Resources
- Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/
- Report unemployment fraud in Hawaii: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/?p=15935
- Hawaii unemployment statute: Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 383
- U.S. Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance: dol.gov
- IRS — Form 1099-G: irs.gov
This Hawaii unemployment fraud guide was last verified against official Hawaii sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
More Hawaii Unemployment Guides
- Hawaii Unemployment Overpayment: Waivers and Repayment
- Hawaii Unemployment Appeal: Deadline and Hearing
- Hawaii Unemployment Benefits: How Much and How Long
- Unemployment Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Unemployment benefit amounts, deadlines and rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current figure and any deadline with your state unemployment agency before you act.