Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland Department of Labor as of October 2026.
Maryland Unemployment Fraud at a Glance
| Report fraud | https://labor.maryland.gov/unemployment-insurance/fraud-and-identity/ |
| Hotline | 667-207-6520 |
| Disqualification | Under Labor and Employment § 8-1305, a first fraud finding generally means disqualification for 1 year from the date of… |
| Criminal charge | Under Labor and Employment § 8-1305(a), a willful violation of the unemployment insurance law is a misdemeanor. |
In This Maryland Unemployment Fraud Guide:
How to Report Maryland Unemployment Fraud
Report it at https://labor.maryland.gov/unemployment-insurance/fraud-and-identity/ or call 667-207-6520. Reports can be made anonymously; the agency investigates both claimant and employer fraud.
Maryland Unemployment Fraud in Your Name: If Someone Else Filed
- Email [email protected] or call 667-207-6520 to start an investigation
- Complete the “Request for Investigation of Unemployment Insurance Fraud” form and email it to [email protected] or mail it to Attention: Benefit Payment Control, 100 South Charles Street, Tower 1, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Do not repay an overpayment notice for a claim you never filed; Maryland Labor says identity-theft victims are not held responsible for those funds
- Report any wider misuse of your personal information at IdentityTheft.gov
- You may also report the fraud to the U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General hotline at 1-800-347-3756
Getting a Corrected 1099-G
Fill out Maryland Labor’s “Affidavit for Correction of Form 1099-G” and choose the reason “no benefits were applied for or received.” Send it with a copy of your photo ID by email to [email protected], or by mail to Attention: Benefit Payment Control, 100 South Charles Street, Tower 1, Baltimore, MD 21201. Confirm current processing times with the agency.
What Counts as Maryland Unemployment Fraud by a Claimant
Maryland treats it as fraud when someone knowingly makes a false statement, or knowingly leaves out an important fact, to get or increase benefits (Labor and Employment § 8-809(b), § 8-1301). Examples include working while claiming without reporting earnings, and not reporting severance, pension, vacation or holiday pay. Giving a false reason for leaving a job or false work-search reports also count as knowing misrepresentations.
Maryland Unemployment Fraud Penalties and Disqualification
Repayment of every dollar, a monetary penalty on top, and penalty weeks of future benefits forfeited. Under Labor and Employment § 8-1305, a first fraud finding generally means disqualification for 1 year from the date of the fraud determination.
It is 2 years if there was a prior fraud finding in one of the previous 4 benefit years, and 3 years if there were prior findings in more than one of those years. The disqualification also continues until the overpayment and the 15% penalty are paid in full.
When Maryland Unemployment Fraud Becomes a Criminal Case
Under Labor and Employment § 8-1305(a), a willful violation of the unemployment insurance law is a misdemeanor. There is no minimum dollar amount, and conviction can bring a fine of up to 1000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Large or organized schemes can also be charged under state theft laws or federal law. The state generally must prove the violation was willful.
Employer-Side Maryland 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.
Honest Mistakes Are Not Maryland Unemployment Fraud
Maryland separates honest mistakes from fraud based on whether a false statement was made knowingly. If you make an error on your initial claim or a weekly certification, the state generally asks you to contact a claims agent at 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm) as soon as you find it.
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A non-fraud overpayment usually carries no 15% penalty and no 1-year disqualification, and you may appeal it or apply for a waiver.
Maryland’s fraud disqualification gets longer for repeat findings: 1 year for a first finding, 2 years for one prior finding and 3 years for more than one prior finding in the previous 4 benefit years. The disqualification does not end until all restitution and the 15% penalty are paid (Labor and Employment § 8-1305).
Related: if the state says you were overpaid on your own claim, that is a different process — see the Maryland overpayment guide for waivers, repayment plans and the appeal deadline.
Maryland — the bottom line
- Report Maryland unemployment fraud the same day you suspect it — an unreported claim in your name becomes an overpayment in your name.
- Maryland unemployment fraud by a claimant means a knowing false statement; an honest mistake corrected promptly is not fraud.
- Penalties for Maryland 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 Maryland?
Use the state fraud page (https://labor.maryland.gov/unemployment-insurance/fraud-and-identity/) or call 667-207-6520.
Someone filed for unemployment in my name in Maryland — what do I do?
Email [email protected] or call 667-207-6520 to start an investigation; Complete the “Request for Investigation of Unemployment Insurance Fraud” form and email it to [email protected] or mail it to Attention: Benefit Payment Control, 100 South Charles Street, Tower 1, Baltimore, MD 21201; Do not repay an overpayment notice for a claim you never filed; Maryland Labor says identity-theft victims are not held responsible for those funds;
Report any wider misuse of your personal information at IdentityTheft.gov; You may also report the fraud to the U.S.
Department of Labor Inspector General hotline at 1-800-347-3756
What is the penalty for unemployment fraud in Maryland?
Repayment plus a monetary penalty and penalty weeks; large or repeated fraud can be charged criminally.
Is an honest mistake on a weekly claim fraud in Maryland?
Maryland separates honest mistakes from fraud based on whether a false statement was made knowingly. If you make an error on your initial claim or a weekly certification, the state generally asks you to contact a claims agent at 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm) as soon as you find it.
Official Maryland Sources & Resources
- Maryland Department of Labor: https://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/unemployment.shtml
- Report unemployment fraud in Maryland: https://labor.maryland.gov/unemployment-insurance/fraud-and-identity/
- Maryland unemployment statute: Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Title 8
- U.S. Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance: dol.gov
- IRS — Form 1099-G: irs.gov
This Maryland unemployment fraud guide was last verified against official Maryland sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
More Maryland Unemployment Guides
- Maryland Unemployment Overpayment: Waivers and Repayment
- Maryland Unemployment Appeal: Deadline and Hearing
- Maryland 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.