An increase in organized cyber-attacks has forced the state to shut down its unemployment insurance system for four days which means no new claims can be filed until Tuesday.
Amy Cubbage, the general counsel to Governor Andy Beshear, said people who need to file a new claim during that time, can backdate the claim. She also said people will still receive their benefits.
click to download audioCubbage said the state caught nearly 200,000 fake claims in February, with the cyberattacks coming from overseas
click to download audioCubbage said scammers have been using automated computer programs to try and guess the personalized pins of the UI customers. And she said some Kentuckians have made it easy.
The state says the shutdown will make sure no one can gain unauthorized access to customer accounts. However, Cubbage said everyone will need to re-register and create a new account starting Tuesday.
Governor Beshear said the system shutdown will be inconvenient but necessary.
The state will send letters out Friday to all active UI claimants with a new 8-digit pin.
