If your unemployment benefits have been frozen as a result of being a victim of fraud, you are not alone.

About 693,000 Californians’ benefits were suspended in a recent Employment Development Department (EDD) fraud prevention effort according to a strike report as reported by LAist.

Here’s what you need to do get your benefits restored, according to the EDD:

1. If someone has fraudulently filed an Unemployment claim in your name, submit a fraud reporting form here. You can call the EDD Fraud Hotline at 1-800-229-6297 (for reporting fraud only) or fax 1-866-340-5484.
2. Send any fraudulent documents or mail to EDD PO Box 826880, MIC 43, Sacramento, CA 94280-0225.

For more guidance, go to: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles