Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming Department of Workforce Services as of October 2026.
Wyoming Unemployment Fraud at a Glance
| Report fraud | https://dws.wyo.gov/contact-us/report-a-fraud/ |
| Hotline | 307-235-3236 |
| Penalty | For a fraud overpayment, DWS says you must repay the full amount (W.S. 27-3-409(b)). |
| Disqualification | A fraud finding generally disqualifies a claimant from benefits for 52 weeks (W.S. 27-3-311(e)). |
| Criminal charge | Under W.S. |
In This Wyoming Unemployment Fraud Guide:
How to Report Wyoming Unemployment Fraud
Report it at https://dws.wyo.gov/contact-us/report-a-fraud/ or call 307-235-3236. Reports can be made anonymously; the agency investigates both claimant and employer fraud.
Wyoming Unemployment Fraud in Your Name: If Someone Else Filed
- Report the claim right away to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Unemployment Insurance fraud line at 307-235-3236, or use the Report Fraud page
- Do not use or activate any U.S. Bank debit card or benefit letter you got for a claim you never filed
- Report the identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three credit bureaus and contact your bank
- Watch for scam texts. DWS does not send text messages with login links
Getting a Corrected 1099-G
Contact DWS at 307-235-3236, report the claim as identity theft, and ask for a corrected 1099-G that shows 0 in benefits. IRS guidance says the state sends the corrected form and updates the IRS record. On your tax return, report only income you actually received, even if the corrected form has not arrived. You generally do not need to file IRS Form 14039 just because a 1099-G is wrong.
What Counts as Wyoming Unemployment Fraud by a Claimant
Wyoming treats it as fraud when someone knowingly makes a false statement or hides an important fact to get or increase benefits (W.S. 27-3-702). Examples include not reporting wages from work while claiming weekly benefits, giving a false reason for leaving a job, and false answers on weekly claims. DWS checks reported earnings against the State and National Directory of New Hires and against employers’ quarterly wage reports.
Wyoming Unemployment Fraud Penalties and Disqualification
For a fraud overpayment, DWS says you must repay the full amount (W.S. 27-3-409(b)). A 5% penalty is added when the overpayment is set up, and another 5% every 6 months until it is repaid. DWS also lists a 15% fraud penalty on the total owed (W.S. 27-3-409(d)). Confirm the current percentages with DWS, because older statute text shows only the 5% penalties.
A fraud finding generally disqualifies a claimant from benefits for 52 weeks (W.S. 27-3-311(e)). A criminal conviction adds a separate disqualification: no benefits for any week that begins within 2 years after the conviction (W.S. 27-3-702).
When Wyoming Unemployment Fraud Becomes a Criminal Case
Under W.S. 27-3-702, getting less than 1000 in benefits by fraud is a misdemeanor, with a fine up to 750, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Getting 1000 or more is a felony, with up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to 5000, or both. Each false statement is a separate offense, and the court must order repayment.
These figures come from the published statute text; confirm them against the current code on wyoleg.gov.
Employer-Side Wyoming 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.
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Honest Mistakes Are Not Wyoming Unemployment Fraud
DWS says wages that are not reported on a weekly claim create an overpayment. If the overpayment was not fraud, DWS can take it out of future benefits within 5 years (W.S. 27-3-409). It may also review a hardship waiver request, but only when fraud is not involved. If you made a mistake on a weekly claim, contact DWS Benefit Payment Control at 307-235-3236 soon to correct the week.
DWS says personal documents should go only by fax to 307-473-3726 or by mail to DWS-Unemployment Insurance, PO Box 2760, Casper, WY 82602, never to an email address or website. A fraud overpayment can be collected with no time limit, while the 5-year limit on taking it out of future benefits applies only to claims that were not fraudulent (W.S. 27-3-409).
Related: if the state says you were overpaid on your own claim, that is a different process — see the Wyoming overpayment guide for waivers, repayment plans and the appeal deadline.
Wyoming — the bottom line
- Report Wyoming unemployment fraud the same day you suspect it — an unreported claim in your name becomes an overpayment in your name.
- Wyoming unemployment fraud by a claimant means a knowing false statement; an honest mistake corrected promptly is not fraud.
- Penalties for Wyoming 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 Wyoming?
Use the state fraud page (https://dws.wyo.gov/contact-us/report-a-fraud/) or call 307-235-3236.
Someone filed for unemployment in my name in Wyoming — what do I do?
Report the claim right away to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Unemployment Insurance fraud line at 307-235-3236, or use the Report Fraud page; Do not use or activate any U.S.
Bank debit card or benefit letter you got for a claim you never filed; Report the identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338; Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three credit bureaus and contact your bank; Watch for scam texts. DWS does not send text messages with login links
What is the penalty for unemployment fraud in Wyoming?
For a fraud overpayment, DWS says you must repay the full amount (W.S. 27-3-409(b)).
Is an honest mistake on a weekly claim fraud in Wyoming?
DWS says wages that are not reported on a weekly claim create an overpayment. If the overpayment was not fraud, DWS can take it out of future benefits within 5 years (W.S.
Official Wyoming Sources & Resources
- Wyoming Department of Workforce Services: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/unemployment-insurance/
- Report unemployment fraud in Wyoming: https://dws.wyo.gov/contact-us/report-a-fraud/
- Wyoming unemployment statute: Wyo. Stat. 27-3
- U.S. Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance: dol.gov
- IRS — Form 1099-G: irs.gov
This Wyoming unemployment fraud guide was last verified against official Wyoming sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
More Wyoming Unemployment Guides
- Wyoming Unemployment Overpayment: Waivers and Repayment
- Wyoming Unemployment Appeal: Deadline and Hearing
- Wyoming 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.