https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/05/edd-halts-some-unemployment-payments-fraud-problems-job-layoff/ > A widening fraud probe has prompted the state Employment Development Department to suspend unemployment payments to some California workers even as coronavirus-linked business shutdowns have left people without a job. > The halt in payments for an unknown number of workers comes at a time when the EDD is reporting that its backlog of unpaid unemployment claims is again swelling. The agency, criticized for antiquated technology and a call center that can’t handle the volume of workers who need help getting their money, may have sent out an estimated $2  billion in fraudulent claims.