CANTON -- The state Department of Labor’s Office of Special Investigations, in partnership with the county district attorney’s office recovered $20,515.33 in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits in 2017 in St. Lawrence County.

A press release from the governor’s office said that the local amount was part of a record-high $4,500,718 recovered state-wide.

The New York State Department of Labor's Office of Special Investigations is responsible for investigating instances of Unemployment Insurance fraud, the press release said.

The Department of Labor monitors several data sources and utilizes various analytical techniques to determine when fraud occurs.

Overall, only a very small percentage of individuals who collect benefits do so illegally, said the press release from the governor’s office. Once suspected fraud is detected, cases are referred to local law enforcement, the press release said.

The 20,515.33 recovered in St. Lawrence County compares to $10,167.69 in Jefferson County, $13,849.75 in Franklin and $5,948.65 recovered in Herkimer County.

The New York State Department of Labor operates one of the largest unemployment insurance systems in the country, the press release said. In addition to administering the entire system, the Department of Labor is responsible for preventing and stopping fraud and ensuring the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which is funded entirely by employer contributions.

Anyone with information about possible unemployment insurance fraud should call the Department of Labor's anonymous toll-free fraud hotline at 888-598-2077 or visit www.labor.ny.gov/fraud.