69-year-old diabetic turns to News 6 after impostor files claims on her behalf

0

Marjorie Hollman, of Palm Beach County, spent four months of her life eating pasta and peanut butter sandwiches after an impostor used her identity to apply for unemployment benefits from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity .

“I’m 69, I have diabetes, I have Crohn’s disease,” she said. “I couldn’t even look at the account because I was locked out!” “

Hollman’s state unemployment account was locked down after someone applied for benefits with her personal information months before she lost her job as an internet auto sales manager in Del Ray Beach.

“Come find someone using my social name (and) my name, applied for unemployment benefits in February,” she said. “I ran out of my savings, I ran out of credit cards to zero.”

Hollman lost her job in April and although she confirmed to the DEO that her identity had been compromised, she was unable to access the thousands of dollars in state and federal benefits she was entitled to.

A d

Although she does not reside in the WKMG viewing area, she said that a parent read the Make Ends Meet hit on ClickOrlando.com and she reached out to News 6 for help.

“My sister-in-law has somehow met you via the Internet,” recalls Hollman. “She said,” You have to contact Make Ends Meet, they’re helping everyone. “”

Make Ends Meet presented her case to the DEO Fraud Division and within 72 hours the senior’s account was unlocked and she had access to her state and federal benefits totaling over $ 8,000.

“I’m not even in your viewing area and you are helping me,” she said. “I am doing all I can to hold back my tears, how wonderful you are, it is just amazing.”

The DEO has investigated approximately 250,000 fraudulent cases in the past 18 months.

News 6 continues to work with the DEO fraud division and the Orlando Secret Service to alert consumers to potential identity theft.

A d

If you think you have been the victim of an identity theft from Aide à l’Emploi or if you are an employer and have an employee who is the victim, it is important to report it immediately by calling 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759). In order for the Department to properly manage Reemployment Assistance identity theft situations, it is essential that you and the employer complete and return all forms sent to you regarding the claims filed.

If you have an unemployment problem, email [email protected] or send the words Make Ends Meet to 407-676-7428.

There are other actions you can take, such as reporting your information to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF), by filling out a complaint form here. NCDF is a national coordinating agency within the Criminal Division of the Ministry of Justice dedicated to improving the detection, prevention, investigation and prosecution of natural and man-made disasters. and other emergencies, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.