Unemployment check batch on Guam held due to fraud concerns
The most recent batch of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance payments has been paused due to the possibility of fraudulent claims getting paid out, according to the Guam Department of Labor.
The agency attempts to batch payments for cleared unemployment claims each Tuesday, but there was too much suspicious activity from the batch meant for July 28.
“This is a federal program. Rules are clear and concrete. People must understand that we don’t have the ability to make judgments. Either you qualify according to federal rules or you don’t,” said Guam Department of Labor Director David Dell’Isola. “We have no latitude for judgments. I also need to ensure we run one of the cleanest programs in the nation.”
Dell’Isola said the Office of the Inspector General has projected about $26 billion in fraud across the nation.
Read more: https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2020/07/30/unemployment-check-batch-held-due-fraud-concerns/5543136002/
(Guam Pacific Daily News)