Watchdog estimates up to $135 billion in pandemic unemployment fraud, around 15% of benefits paid

The Government Accountability Office estimates $100 to $135 billion in fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims, around 11-15% of total benefits paid.
States reported over $55 billion in overpayments, including $5.3 billion confirmed as fraudulent.
Loopholes and lack of verification enabled criminals to file fraudulent claims impersonating jobless Americans.
The Labor Department disputes the methodology, but fraud distorted jobless data, making analysis difficult.
Legislation has been proposed to incentivize states to recover funds and extend prosecution time limits.