Texas reported a sharp increase in unemployment claims for the week ending Sept. 6, with the total nearly doubling from typical levels due to a surge in fraudulent filings, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
State data shows that 31,876 unemployment claims were filed that week, compared to the usual weekly average of around 16,000.
TWC officials confirmed that the rise is not linked to increased job losses, but rather to a significant number of fraudulent attempts targeting the state’s unemployment system.
The TWC stated that fraudulent activity involving stolen identities accounts for a substantial portion of the recent claims. While such fraud is not new, officials said the current volume is unusually high. The agency has not specified the exact number of fraudulent claims but emphasized that the state’s economy remains stable.
Officials are also urging Texans to report any suspicious activity involving unemployment claims and to take steps to protect personal information.
The agency continues to invest in fraud detection and prevention tools to reduce the impact of fraudulent claims on the unemployment system. While acknowledging the difficulty of eliminating all fraud, officials said their goal is to safeguard benefits for eligible claimants and maintain the integrity of the system.
The TWC is monitoring the situation and has committed to keeping the public informed as it implements additional safeguards to protect the unemployment system from further fraud.