Thefts of Social Security ID rising fast

DesertNews ^

[Happy2BMe]

Thefts of Social Security ID rising fast By Pat Reavy Deseret News staff writer

Retirement has not started off easily for Frances Stone. Her biggest problem so far has been convincing the government that she lives in Utah, not California. Stone's wallet was stolen in 1991. Almost immediately the woman who allegedly stole her wallet used Stone's credit cards. Stone, 70, took care of the problem and thought that was the end of it. But in 1992, Stone noticed her Social Security checks were getting smaller. After some investigating, Stone discovered that the woman who allegedly took her wallet, an illegal immigrant, had gotten a job and was earning wages using her Social Security number. The government thought Stone was earning more money than she really was. Now, 10 years later, the problem still hasn't been settled. Each year Stone's Social Security checks are cut, and each year she has to go through a lot of red tape to prove somebody else is using her Social Security number. And each year it takes three to four months' worth of phone calls and letter writing to get the matter cleared up.

"Every year I have to go through the same thing of writing all these letters and sending them to the IRS and Social Security. I guess I'm getting too old because this is beginning to be a hassle," Stone said with a chuckle. "After the first few years I did it I thought it would get cleared up. But it didn't."
      Stone's situation highlights a growing problem in the fight against identity fraud.
While stealing checks and credit card applications from mailboxes and trash bins remains the most common form of identity theft in Utah and the nation, assuming someone else's identity by stealing their Social Security number and birth date is growing rapidly.
      "It's a major problem. There are a half-million new cases of identity theft in the nation each year," said Ron Ingleby with the Utah Office of the Inspector General.
      In Stone's case, the woman allegedly using her Social Security number recently opened an account at a major department store in California using her own name but Stone's address.
      Stone said it has been a frustrating experience.
      "When you work on (clearing it up) all day and lay awake thinking about it all night, it's just . . . ack!" she said.
      The Social Security Administration announced a series of initiatives in June already under way or about to be implemented to combat the problem.
     

• Social Security numbers will no longer be issued to non-citizens for the sole purpose of obtaining a driver's license.
       

• More verification will be done with states and the Immigration and Naturalization Service of people applying for a Social Security number.
       

• An online system will be available for employers to verify the names and Social Security numbers of new employees.
        Beginning Jan. 2, 2004, Social Security numbers will no longer be printed on checks from the U.S. Treasury. Ingleby said the number used to be displayed in the window of the envelope.
        Another common way for thieves to steal someone's vital personal information is through public records. Many of those public records are picked up by companies that sell the information on the Internet.
        "A lot of that is public information. There's not a lot of litigation to protect us," said Lt. Kelly Wuthrich with the Utah Criminal Investigations Division. "Every time you make a large purchase, such as a house or car, that information will be shared.
        "Public information is so widespread and easy to get, it's tough to protect ourselves," he said.
        One thing citizens can do is not give out their Social Security number or vital information on the phone, Wuthrich said. Another piece of advice is to properly dispose of all important documents.
        "Three words: shred, shred, shred," Wuthrich said.
        California lawmakers are doing what they can to combat the problem. Wednesday, Gov. Gray Davis signed bills banning the state from selling databases containing mothers' maiden names and Social Security numbers and from posting them on the Internet.
        The California Newspaper Publishers Association opposed the new law, saying the press needs access to verify the identification of people in their news reports.
        Another bill signed into law by Davis put restrictions on who has access to birth certificates.
       

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[Happy2BMe]

American Social Security Numbers are a "very popular" with our visitors who only want to come here to "work."

[azhenfud]

Why can't socialist security cards be swipable like credit cards and a system put in place for immediate verification?

[Bikers4Bush]

Because that would make too much sense. After all it's not like the states don't already do something like that for drivers licenses now is it?

[Glenn]

Just how incompetent does a government have to get before you can fire it?

[blau993]

Wait a second. Her purse and credit cards were stolen by an illegal immigrant. The credit cards were used. That's larceny, which, last time I checked, is a felony. Now the person is using the Social Security number at a place of employment. As in, DUH, WE NOW KNOW WHERE THIS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT/FELON IS WORKING!

Why is this upstanding character not (a) in jail or (b) deported?

[2banana]

Note to all freepers.

About the best thing you can do today is to put a "fraud alert" on all your credit history accounts BEFORE anything happens. This way, in theory, all new accounts have to be verified before opened (so if you lose your wallet you are ahead of the game). Also, go through your wallet and purse. Keep just the minimal amount of ID and credit cards and write down the account information and store in a safe place. Make sure under no conditions that your SS number is in your wallet/purse.

[FreePaul]

Why can't socialist security cards be swipable like credit cards and a system put in place for immediate verification?

Probably because too much of our economy depends on illegal use of SS numbers. Any serious effort to restrict the use of SS numbers or to adequately protect them from misuse is met with a lot of protest by every kind of group from illegal aliens to major financial institutions.

Misuse of SS numbers results in fraud in employment, medicare, banking, credit card use, etc. These frauds result in a few prosecutions while putting billions of dollars in circulation within the financial community with no penalty to those who profit by those transactions.

[spectre]

Once upon a time...there was this guy who owned a Pet Pig...

nevermind...:~)

sw

[Sgt_Schultze]

...Make sure under no conditions that your SS number is in your wallet/purse.

In most cases, that is difficult. Most private health insurers use the SS# as the member account number. If one carries their health insurance card around, they are also allowing any potential thief access to their entire life.

[mvpel]

The most irritating thing is that my health insurance ID card has my SSN on it.

[lewislynn]

My friend went to apply for unemployment only to be told he was already getting unemployment.

[WayneM]

This person has not been arrested or deported because of the contributions he/she is making to our society. Just ask our President.

[Dialup Llama]

>Why can't socialist security cards be swipable like credit cards and a system put in place for immediate verification?

That would be too easy. The answer: because the illegals could no longer be able to use stolen SSNs. You think this giant loophole is not permitted for a reason?

[Wheee The People]

The primary opposition to identifying illegal immigrants with a social security card has come from conservatives who object to turning the SS number into a national identity card.

[autoresponder]

This looks like a ripe opportunity for an "America's Most Wanted" style TV show.

ID the felons with photos, documents, undercover surveillance.

Broadcast them on TV.

The victim should be instantly give a new SSN and full credit and the old SSN voided.

The "swipe card" is a great idea; fake (dupicate) card to be confiscated by any government employee.

Minimum federal prison sentence should be 5 years with zero early parole; 2nd offense should be 10 years eith zero early parole.

All of the offending felons assets should be confiscated and all of the criminals SS benefits awarded to the innocent victim of SSN ID theft.

All convicted of SS ID theft would have all SSA, SSI, and SS benefits disqualified for life.

All state and city benefits would be disqualified for life.

All private pensions and assets would be confiscated.

SS cards should all have photo IDs.

DMV licenses have had photos for years and many bank cards also.

This needs a big push on your Rep and two Senators and quick Task Force action.

This must be a federal felony; states and cities should be required to participate or lose federal funding.

Not enough "squeaky wheels" out there.

A substantial reward should be given to those reporting such SSN ID theft.

I will not say what I would do if this happened to me or my family and the government refused to effectively track, arrest, charge, indict, and convict the felon.

Let your mind wander; one vague phone call or email would do it.

It will require a co-ordinated effort by honest US citizens.

[BlackbirdSST]

Just how incompetent does a government have to get before you can fire it?

Supposedly every couple of hundred years or so. We're long overdue. Blackbird.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Why can't socialist security cards be swipable like credit cards and a system put in place for immediate verification?

I vote for arresting the sob who is using the stolen number.

[azhenfud]

Today's technology is advanced enough that a photo ID can be digitally placed in the swipe portion of any card, and any modified reader can view the image.

[Happy2BMe]

"According to Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fla., chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, benefits paid to retirees will exceed revenues in just 15 years. The pay-as-you-go system could go belly up as early as 2030.

" These projections don't take into account the economic impact of the Bush proposal, which would allow untold millions of illegal aliens from Mexico to collect full cash benefits for themselves and their families from their home country -- without having to work the required number of years that law-abiding American citizens must work to be eligible for payouts."

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Michelle Malkin: The criminal raid on Social Security

[autoresponder]

There you go.

I'd like it visible on the card face too; showing a photo ID that does not say, match your "complexion", would be a big deterrent.

That is often the case in the felon's ID; a completely different unalterable appearance that is never checked.

In the case of credit card use under $75 often the card is never swiped or checked.