Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana Workforce Commission as of October 2026.
Louisiana Unemployment Fraud at a Glance
| Report fraud | https://www2.laworks.net/Forms/UI_ReportSuspectedFraudForm.asp |
| Penalty | Under La. R.S. |
| Disqualification | Since Act 553 of 2024 took effect on December 31, 2024, La. R.S. |
| Criminal charge | Under La. R.S. |
In This Louisiana Unemployment Fraud Guide:
How to Report Louisiana Unemployment Fraud
Report it at https://www2.laworks.net/Forms/UI_ReportSuspectedFraudForm.asp. Reports can be made anonymously; the agency investigates both claimant and employer fraud.
Louisiana Unemployment Fraud in Your Name: If Someone Else Filed
- Report the claim you did not file to the Louisiana Workforce Commission through its online fraud form (the “Fight Fraud” / “Report Fraud” link on laworks.net) and keep the submission confirmation
- Ask LWC for a corrected 1099-G showing 0 in benefits
- File a report with your local police department
- Report the identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov
- Check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com and consider placing a fraud alert
Getting a Corrected 1099-G
The IRS tells victims to ask the state agency that issued the form for a corrected 1099-G showing they received no benefits. LWC asks victims to start that request by filing its online fraud report. If the corrected form has not arrived by tax time, the IRS generally says to file using only the income you actually received and attach a statement explaining why.
LWC has said its fraud-report confirmation can serve as that statement.
What Counts as Louisiana Unemployment Fraud by a Claimant
Under La. R.S. 23:1601(8), fraud means knowingly making a false statement, or knowingly leaving out an important fact, to get benefits or to get more of them. In plain words, that includes not reporting pay from work, working while claiming without saying so, giving a false reason for losing your job, and reporting job searches you did not do. The key word is “knowingly.”
Louisiana Unemployment Fraud Penalties and Disqualification
Under La. R.S. 23:1714(A), a fraud overpayment carries a civil penalty of 25% of the total overpayment or 20, whichever is greater. You must also repay all benefits paid for the fraud weeks, and they are due right away under R.S. 23:1601(8)(b). Act 553 of 2024 (effective December 31, 2024) says the state can assess this penalty without any criminal referral or conviction.
Since Act 553 of 2024 took effect on December 31, 2024, La. R.S. 23:1601(8) keeps a person disqualified until the fraud benefits plus the R.S. 23:1714 penalty are repaid, or until 10 years have passed since the disqualification date. Before that change, the rule was the rest of the benefit year plus 52 weeks. Confirm with the state agency how this applies to a specific claim.
When Louisiana Unemployment Fraud Becomes a Criminal Case
Under La. R.S. 23:1714(D), added by Act 553 effective December 31, 2024, LWC must refer any fraud overpayment of 1000 or more to the district attorney in the parish where the claimant lives. If fraud is proven beyond a reasonable doubt, accepting that money is treated as theft under La. R.S. 14:67, which is graded by dollar amount. At 1000 or more, that theft can be charged as a felony.
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Employer-Side Louisiana Unemployment Fraud
Employer-side fraud includes calling employees “independent contractors” to avoid unemployment taxes, which La. R.S. 23:1711(G) addresses. It also includes “SUTA dumping,” where an employer moves workers into a related company to escape its own tax rate. LWC field auditors check employers for misclassification. Workers can report suspected fraud through LWC’s Report Fraud option at laworks.net.
Honest Mistakes Are Not Louisiana Unemployment Fraud
Louisiana treats an overpayment as fraud or non-fraud based on whether you acted knowingly. An honest mistake usually means repaying only what was overpaid. Under La. R.S. 23:1714(B), the 25% penalty applies to a non-fraud overpayment only if it is not repaid within 30 days after the decision becomes final, and keeping a repayment plan current avoids it. If you reported a week wrong, contact LWC promptly to correct it.
Act 553 of 2024 (effective December 31, 2024) made two changes. A fraud disqualification now lasts until the money and penalty are repaid, up to 10 years, instead of a fixed 52 weeks. LWC must also refer every fraud overpayment of 1000 or more to the local district attorney as possible theft under La. R.S. 14:67.
Related: if the state says you were overpaid on your own claim, that is a different process — see the Louisiana overpayment guide for waivers, repayment plans and the appeal deadline.
Louisiana — the bottom line
- Report Louisiana unemployment fraud the same day you suspect it — an unreported claim in your name becomes an overpayment in your name.
- Louisiana unemployment fraud by a claimant means a knowing false statement; an honest mistake corrected promptly is not fraud.
- Penalties for Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
Use the state fraud page (https://www2.laworks.net/Forms/UI_ReportSuspectedFraudForm.asp).
Someone filed for unemployment in my name in Louisiana — what do I do?
Report the claim you did not file to the Louisiana Workforce Commission through its online fraud form (the “Fight Fraud” / “Report Fraud” link on laworks.net) and keep the submission confirmation; Ask LWC for a corrected 1099-G showing 0 in benefits; File a report with your local police department; Report the identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov; Check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com and consider placing a fraud alert
What is the penalty for unemployment fraud in Louisiana?
Under La. R.S.
Is an honest mistake on a weekly claim fraud in Louisiana?
Louisiana treats an overpayment as fraud or non-fraud based on whether you acted knowingly. An honest mistake usually means repaying only what was overpaid.
Official Louisiana Sources & Resources
- Louisiana Workforce Commission: https://www.laworks.net/UnemploymentInsurance/UI_MainMenu.asp
- Report unemployment fraud in Louisiana: https://www2.laworks.net/Forms/UI_ReportSuspectedFraudForm.asp
- Louisiana unemployment statute: La. R.S. 23:1471 et seq.
- U.S. Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance: dol.gov
- IRS — Form 1099-G: irs.gov
This Louisiana unemployment fraud guide was last verified against official Louisiana sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
More Louisiana Unemployment Guides
- Louisiana Unemployment Overpayment: Waivers and Repayment
- Louisiana Unemployment Appeal: Deadline and Hearing
- Louisiana 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.