5 On Your Side helps victim of fraud in battle with Division of Unemployment Security

Last October, someone filed unemployment in Shelby Barbour's name, collecting more than $2,265.50.

Barbour contacted 5 On Your Side in December after receiving a letter from DES saying she had to repay that money.

The agency told WRAL and Barbour the letter was sent in error and that staff would look into her situation and contact her.

But then – DES sent her a letter saying she needed to set up a payment plan for $130 a month or it would be taken directly from her paycheck.

Barbour called DES again.

"Every time I call it’s like, `Oh, well, that’s just a generated letter. You have a fraud alert investigation going on. Don’t worry about it.’ But on the other hand, how do you tell somebody not to worry about it when you got an official letter from the state saying they’re going to garnish your wages?" said Barbour.

"I don’t know what else to do," she said.

She called 5 On Your Side again for help, and WRAL contacted DES about the situation.

The next day, a supervisor contacted Barbour.

DES spokeswoman Kerry McComber gave 5 On Your Side this statement:

McComber says that technical solution should be in place this week.

As for Barbour, after receiving two erroneous and worrisome letters, she says DES assures her the case is closed.

She hopes this time it really is.