https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/25/edd-27-of-california-unemployment-payments-could-be-fraudulent-state-says/ > At least $11 billion in unemployment claims made in California during the pandemic were fraudulent, state officials revealed Monday in a conference call about the reeling jobless benefits system designed to help millions of out-of-work residents. > And the extent of the fraud — already more than twice as large as earlier estimates — could be even more damaging, encompassing perhaps more than a quarter of the $114 billion paid out since government ordered business shutdowns began in March, sparking an avalanche of job losses.