By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Sheriff deputies, On Jan. 10, reported several fraudulent unemployment applications in Otter Tail County.

One county resident reported that he was notified that he was approved for unemployment benefits even though he had not applied for unemployment. Deputies advised the person to contact his bank and look into credit monitoring.

Here are other tips from county and state authorities.

• Tell credit bureaus about fraudulent unemployment claims using your identity. Have credit bureaus place a fraud alert on your identity.

• If you don’t have an upcoming major purchase, such as a home, consider freezing your credit. Your credit report will often be the first source that can reveal if there has been any suspicious activity.

• Contact the Minnesota Department of Labor to find out if someone is collecting unem-ployment in your name.

• For further assistance contact the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office at (218) 998-8555.