COLUMBUS, Ohio - The State of Ohio continues to face problems with fraudulent unemployment claims.

The Department of Jobs and Family Services said on Thursday that of the 69,368 initial unemployment claims reported this week, about 7,400, or nearly 11%, have been flagged for potential fraud.

Local police departments continue to receive identity fraud reports from people who say that ODJFS has notified them that they have been receiving jobless benefits, even though they had not applied for, nor received those benefits.

Calling identity theft “a widespread national challenge,” ODJFS says many Ohioans have become victims, and their identities used to file fraudulent unemployment claims in both the traditional unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs.

Anyone who suspects their identity was compromised and used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim is urged to report it to ODFS immediately by visiting unemployment.ohio.gov, clicking on “Report Identity Theft,” and following the instructions. As an alternative, individuals also may call (833) 658-0394.