NY stops unemployment checks abroad
Posted at: 08/01/2012 2:16 PM
By: AP
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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's comptroller says a new computer sleuth has stopped $90,000 in unemployment checks that were headed to New Yorkers apparently vacationing abroad this summer and to foreign scammers.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli tells The Associated Press his office found the checks bound for Europe, Mexico, Vietnam and other foreign bank accounts through a computer filter installed in June.
That was put in place after the state Department of Labor noticed people were filing their weekly "recertification" of eligibility for benefits from internet IP addresses in other countries.
People in New York and some other states have for years been able to certify eligibility online after initially applying in person. It replaces in-person visits requiring recipients to show identification.
The labor department says it will tighten its controls.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
