A suspicious surge in unemployment claims in the state is raising concerns about widespread fraud.
The state received more than 77,000 claims compared to a week earlier. The tens of thousands of claims from last week largely come from independent contractors, gig workers and those who are self-employed. The increase was in new claims, not from people extending or renewing them, prompting concern of a re-emergence of fraudulent claims. So far, California has acknowledged paying at least $400 million in fraudulent claims.