Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training as of October 2026.
Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud at a Glance
| Report fraud | https://dlt.ri.gov/ui/reportfraud/ (DLT’s “Imposter Fraud” page, which sends identity-theft victims to the RI State Police online report). Other claimant or employer fraud goes to the UI/TDI Fraud Unit: https://dlt.ri.gov/individuals/unemployment-insurance/unemployment-insurance-fraud |
| Hotline | (401) 462-1522 (DLT UI/TDI Fraud Unit). Email: [email protected]. Fax: (401) 462-8474. Mail: 1511 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02920. Reports can be made anonymously. |
| Penalty | Since October 1, 2013, Rhode Island adds a penalty of 15% of the fraudulently paid amount (R.I. Gen. |
| Disqualification | After a court conviction for knowingly making a false statement or misrepresenting a material fact to get benefits, a… |
| Criminal charge | Under R.I. Gen. |
In This Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud Guide:
How to Report Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud
Report it at https://dlt.ri.gov/ui/reportfraud/ (DLT’s “Imposter Fraud” page, which sends identity-theft victims to the RI State Police online report). Other claimant or employer fraud goes to the UI/TDI Fraud Unit: https://dlt.ri.gov/individuals/unemployment-insurance/unemployment-insurance-fraud or call (401) 462-1522 (DLT UI/TDI Fraud Unit). Email: [email protected]. Fax: (401) 462-8474. Mail: 1511 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02920. Reports can be made anonymously.. Reports can be made anonymously; the agency investigates both claimant and employer fraud.
Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud in Your Name: If Someone Else Filed
- File a report with the RI State Police using the online form linked from DLT’s Imposter Fraud page. After that you do not need to contact DLT separately, because the State Police tell DLT to stop the claim
- If the claim dates from the COVID-19 period, also report it to the U.S. DOJ National Center for Disaster Fraud, which notifies the U.S. DOL Office of Inspector General
- Request a corrected 1099-G through the UI Help Form or the UI Call Center at (401) 415-6772
- Check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228
- Keep a copy of your police report and any DLT letters for your tax records
Getting a Corrected 1099-G
DLT says you will not be held responsible for taxes on benefits someone else collected using your identity. To confirm the record and ask for a corrected 1099-G, submit the UI Help Form or call the UI Call Center at (401) 415-6772. The IRS generally does not require Form 14039 for a wrong 1099-G.
That form is only needed if your e-filed return is rejected because someone already filed with your Social Security number.
What Counts as Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud by a Claimant
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-62.1, fraud means knowingly making a false or misleading material statement to get benefits, or knowingly hiding a fact you are required to report. Examples include not reporting earnings or work while claiming, giving a false reason for losing your job, and filing false work-search reports.
Accepting a payment by direct deposit or debit card counts as a “statement” that you qualify for benefits that week.
Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud Penalties and Disqualification
Since October 1, 2013, Rhode Island adds a penalty of 15% of the fraudulently paid amount (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-62.1(a)(4) and § 28-42-68(c)). Fraud overpayments must also be repaid with interest at the § 28-43-15 rate (§ 28-42-68(a)). A separate count of administrative penalty weeks could not be verified in statute.
After a court conviction for knowingly making a false statement or misrepresenting a material fact to get benefits, a person is disqualified from benefits for 1 year from the conviction (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-24). This is in addition to any criminal penalty.
When Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud Becomes a Criminal Case
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-62.1(a)(3), knowing unemployment fraud is a misdemeanor at any dollar amount. The penalty is a fine of up to 1000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, up to 1 year in prison, or both. Prosecutors may also bring other state or federal charges, such as larceny or federal fraud. Confirm the details of any specific case with a lawyer.
Employer-Side Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud
Under § 28-42-62.1(a)(1)(iv)-(vi), it is unlawful for an employer to willfully hide facts to cut its UI contributions, hide changes in ownership, or take UI contributions out of workers’ wages. Under § 28-43-35(6), “SUTA dumping” (shifting a business to get a lower tax rate) brings the highest tax rate for the year of the violation plus the next 3 rate years, or a 2% penalty rate.
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A non-employer who violates or helps someone violate this rule faces a fine of up to 5000 and up to 1 year in prison. Workers can report misclassification through DLT’s Misclassification Task Force page (dlt.ri.gov/misclassification) or to the Fraud Unit at (401) 462-1522.
Honest Mistakes Are Not Rhode Island Unemployment Fraud
The law treats mistakes differently from fraud. Under § 28-42-68, a mistaken overpayment can be taken out of future benefits or repaid, but interest and the 15% penalty apply only to misrepresentation or fraud. If the director finds you were not at fault and that collecting the money would defeat the purpose of the law, there is no recovery at all (§ 28-42-68(d)).
To fix a weekly certification, contact the UI Call Center at (401) 415-6772 or use the UI Help Form as soon as you notice the error.
Rhode Island sends identity-theft victims to the RI State Police first instead of DLT, and the State Police then notify DLT to stop the claim. Under § 28-42-62.1(b), every claimant gets a notice that accepting a deposit or endorsing a check affirms they qualify for benefits that week.
Related: if the state says you were overpaid on your own claim, that is a different process — see the Rhode Island overpayment guide for waivers, repayment plans and the appeal deadline.
Rhode Island — the bottom line
- Report Rhode Island unemployment fraud the same day you suspect it — an unreported claim in your name becomes an overpayment in your name.
- Rhode island unemployment fraud by a claimant means a knowing false statement; an honest mistake corrected promptly is not fraud.
- Penalties for Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Use the state fraud page (https://dlt.ri.gov/ui/reportfraud/ (DLT’s “Imposter Fraud” page, which sends identity-theft victims to the RI State Police online report). Other claimant or employer fraud goes to the UI/TDI Fraud Unit: https://dlt.ri.gov/individuals/unemployment-insurance/unemployment-insurance-fraud) or call (401) 462-1522 (DLT UI/TDI Fraud Unit). Email: [email protected]. Fax: (401) 462-8474. Mail: 1511 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI 02920. Reports can be made anonymously..
Someone filed for unemployment in my name in Rhode Island — what do I do?
File a report with the RI State Police using the online form linked from DLT’s Imposter Fraud page. After that you do not need to contact DLT separately, because the State Police tell DLT to stop the claim; If the claim dates from the COVID-19 period, also report it to the U.S. DOJ National Center for Disaster Fraud, which notifies the U.S.
DOL Office of Inspector General; Request a corrected 1099-G through the UI Help Form or the UI Call Center at (401) 415-6772; Check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228; Keep a copy of your police report and any DLT letters for your tax records
What is the penalty for unemployment fraud in Rhode Island?
Since October 1, 2013, Rhode Island adds a penalty of 15% of the fraudulently paid amount (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-42-62.1(a)(4) and § 28-42-68(c)). Fraud overpayments must also be repaid with interest at the § 28-43-15 rate (§ 28-42-68(a)). A separate count of administrative penalty weeks could not be verified in statute.
Is an honest mistake on a weekly claim fraud in Rhode Island?
The law treats mistakes differently from fraud. Under § 28-42-68, a mistaken overpayment can be taken out of future benefits or repaid, but interest and the 15% penalty apply only to misrepresentation or fraud.
Official Rhode Island Sources & Resources
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training: https://dlt.ri.gov/individuals/unemployment-insurance
- Report unemployment fraud in Rhode Island: https://dlt.ri.gov/ui/reportfraud/ (DLT’s “Imposter Fraud” page, which sends identity-theft victims to the RI State Police online report). Other claimant or employer fraud goes to the UI/TDI Fraud Unit: https://dlt.ri.gov/individuals/unemployment-insurance/unemployment-insurance-fraud
- Rhode Island unemployment statute: R.I. Gen. Laws 28-42 to 28-44
- U.S. Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance: dol.gov
- IRS — Form 1099-G: irs.gov
This Rhode Island unemployment fraud guide was last verified against official Rhode Island sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
More Rhode Island Unemployment Guides
- Rhode Island Unemployment Overpayment: Waivers and Repayment
- Rhode Island Unemployment Appeal: Deadline and Hearing
- Rhode Island 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.