Lexis Nexis data analysis suggests that the California Employment Development Department (EDD) fraud could be higher than previously estimated. In the fall of 2021, during an oversight hearing, EDD was questioned about the estimated fraud amount. They claimed that out of $170 billion paid out, an estimated $20 billion was fraudulent. However, more recently, Haywood Talcove, CEO of Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions, disagreed with this figure, suggesting it was considerably higher.

Using various sources, including the fraud rates EDD estimated, and the figures reported to the U.S. Department of Labor, Talcove proposed that the fraud rate is nearer to $32.6 billion. He also warned that fraudsters were not only targeting the unemployment insurance system but had also infiltrated other systems.

Despite these warnings and substantial amounts of fraudulent payouts, EDD still maintains that the fraud is closer to $20 billion. This has attracted criticism from various sectors, including Jim Patterson, a Republican Assemblyman, who urged the department and Governor Newsom to stop making excuses and be forthcoming with the truth.

So how can individuals get in contact with EDD to report potential fraud or for any other matter? One can easily reach EDD customer service through various means. Your best option for direct communication is by calling the edd phone number provided on the official EDD website. For more detailed and state-specific information on contacting EDD, you can visit resources such as eddcaller.com, which provides an extensive guide on how to contact EDD customer service effectively.