The state's "Chasing Cheaters" program, which has so far recouped $800,000 in fraudulent unemployment payments, announced its 100th arrest Tuesday.

The program, a partnership between the state Department of Labor and the Division of Criminal Justice established about two years ago, has tracked more than $3 million in unemployment insurance payments tied to suspected fraud, according to a release from the office of Attorney General George Jepsen.

“Those who knowingly cheat the state’s unemployment system have found out the hard way that fraud will not be tolerated in Connecticut,” state Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer said in a statement.

"We are dealing with the intentional theft of tax dollars that have been allocated to benefit those in need. This is not about someone making a mistake," Chief State's Attorney Kevin T. Kane added.

Palmer said those arrested refused to pay back the state "for what amounts to theft."

Illegal tactics used by the suspected unemployment cheaters included collecting while working, submitting false employment records and using someone else's social security number, according to state authorities.

Kane said some violators with previous records can face charges of violation of probation, possibly leading to prison sentences. Others who stole Social Security numbers have been charged with identity theft.  

The state's Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit, with two inspectors and a prosecutor, works out of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, using public tips, integrity software and surveillance tools to catch fraud. It was established with the help of a federal grant.

The Labor Department allows anyone to report fraud by visiting its website and then searching for “report fraud” to find a form.

l.howard@theday.com

Twitter: @KingstonLeeHow