SHOULD HAVE HAD FOR MONTHS.
REPORTER: A STUDY GETTING THE LETTERS WEEKS AGO.
THE POSTAL SERVICE BLOCKED THE OUTGOING MAIL SLOT, BUT THAT DOES WRITING.
>> THIS -- ARRIVING.
SHE RECEIVED DOZENS OF LETTERS, ALL FRAUDULENT EDD CLAIMS SHOWING UP IN HER MAILBOX.
ALL TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LIVE AT HER MODESTO HOME.
>> I HEARD FROM A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR HOUSES THAT ARE FOR SALE BECAUSE THEY WILL CHANGE OWNERS.
REPORTER: CLAIMS MADE TO EDD TO THE PANDEMIC EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
SOME OF THE FRAUDSTERS ARE RANDOM CRIMINALS.
OTHERS ARE PART OF INTERNATIONAL FRAUD RING TARGETING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.
>> WE TRY TO IDENTIFY WITHIN THE UNDERGROUND AND DARK RED COMMUNITIES TO DETERMINE IF THERE ARE OTHER TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.
REPORTER: REPORTED FUTURE RESEARCH IS ONLINE FRAUD AND THREATS AND CONSULTS CORPORATIONS ON SECURITY.
THAT IS WHERE THEY FOUND FRAUDSTERS FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND SELLING THE ACCOUNTS.
>> THE BALANCES ARE OF A HIGHER DOLLAR IN THE AMOUNT THAT THEY TRY TO OUR THEORY IS THAT THEY ARE DEALING SUCH A LARGE VOLUME THAT WOULD RATHER NOT DEAL WITH INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS ON A CASE TO
CASE BASIS.
REPORTER: THIS HAVE A BALANCE OF MORE THAN $17,000 ANOTHER CASE HAS A FRAUDSTER OFFERING TO FILE FOR EDD BENEFITS.
ALL POSTED FOR SALE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
>> THEY OPERATE WITHIN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND COME IN FROM MAYBE OTHER STATE TO SET UP SHOP.
SHE THINKS -- REPORTER: SHE THINKS SOMEBODY WAS SCOPING OUT HER MAILBOX.
>> WE NOTICED A CAR PASSING US THAT DOES NOT BELONG ON OUR STREET.
HE STOPPED BEHIND OUR CAR AND WAS WRITING DOWN INFORMATION.
REPORTER: THE SECRET SERVICE HAS INVESTIGATING AT LEAST MAY.
A CRIMINAL GROUP FILED FOR BENEFIT AND CONVINCED PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE IN AN ONLINE RELATIONSHIP TO ACCEPT, WHICH THEN PASSED TO THE SCAM ARTIST.
WE BEGAN TRACKING THE NEED OF PEOPLE ON THE STACKS OF LETTERS AND WE VERIFIED ADDRESS NORTH CAROLINA, FLORIDA AND FOUND POSSIBLE MATCHES IN OKLAHOMA, WYOMING AND ARKANSAS, ALL WITH
REALLY.
-- REAL NAMES.
BETTER LIVES IN NORTH CAROLINA, BUT TO RECORDS, SHE LIVES IN CALIFORNIA.
>> SHE TOLD ME, YOU HAVE ONE IN CALIFORNIA.
I SAID, CALIFORNIA?
I ONLY HAVE ONE IN NORTH CAROLINA.
SHE SAID, YOU HAVE A CARD WITH $29,000 THAT IS DUE TO BE PAID OUT TO YOU.
REPORTER: SHE COULD NOT REACH ANYBODY AT THE FRONT DIVISION.
SHE DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN.
SHE SAW THIS ON OUR WEBSITE AND EMAILED US.
>> SOMEBODY HAS MY IDENTITY THERE IN CALIFORNIA AND IS USING IT TO GET ALL THIS MONEY.
I NEED TO STOP IT.
REPORTER: EDD MADE NO MENTION OF THIS ONE FRAUD UNTIL TENDER.
THE ONLY ARREST MADE PUBLIC WERE FROM BEVERLY HILLS POLICE.
ALL THE CASES ARE A VARIATION, BUT THEY EDD HAS SAID VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE FRAUD OR HOW EFFECTIVE THEY HAVE AN IN STOPPING IT.
>> WHAT YOU’RE ARE SAYING IS TROUBLING, BUT NOT A SURPRISE.
REPORTER: HE SENT A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, OR CHANGES AT EDD.
HE SAID, IF YOU TAKE THEY LEARNED AND ADDED IT TO THE RECENT FINDINGS, IT SHOWS A MAJOR FAILURE.
>> THE ANTIFRAUD MEASURES HAVE PREVENTED FRAUD BY CRIMINAL SYNDICATE AND ALLOW HONEST CALIFORNIA TO GET THEIR BENEFITS.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU MUST HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR MANY MONTHS.
REPORTER: MOLLY BATTLE IS LEFT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO FOR HERSELF.
>> NEXT YEAR WHEN IT IS TIME TO FILE FOR TAXES, SHE -- THEY ARE GOING TO SAY WE PAID $21,900.
I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE.
REPORTER: DO IT ALL, JILL CONTINUES TO GET LET