Identity theft, defrauding the federal government, and illegal immigration are serious criminal matters.
But if you're the Web editor for MSNBC.com, stolen Social Security numbers are merely "shared" with "undocumented workers" stuck in a web of "federal employment laws."
From the subheadline for the front page tease to the May 27 edition of "Red Tape Chronicles" (see screencap above at right):
Millions of Americans find themselves sharing Social Security identies with others, mostly undocumented workers looking to get around federal employment laws.
Of course, you're lucky if just one person is "sharing" your Social Security Number (SSN). MSNBC.com blogger Bob Sullivan noted one Chicago woman who had 37 other people fraudulently claiming her number. Yet at no point in his 33-paragraph post did Sullivan describe the claiming of other people's SSNs as "fraud." What's more, Sullivan turned to an "immigration rights advocate" who painted the illegal immigrant fraudsters themselves as victims:
San Diego-based immigration rights advocate Lilia Velasquez sees similar cases in her practice all the time. Imposters run the spectrum from hardened criminals who ultimately take out loans in the victim's name to well-intentioned Mexicans who are simply doing what they need to do to get a job and feed their families.
"It's not that these people intentionally and maliciously stole someone's name and identity. ... They may feel that they are using the number out of sheer need," she said.




















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Comedy in liberal world.
May 27, 2008 - 11:58 ET by ScrapironCan I laugh at those suffering from the worst cases of BDS or will the though police of the left put me in jail? I'll risk jail and ROTFLMAS.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Scrapiron
May 27, 2008 - 15:49 ET by StephCYou may be old, retired, and glad of it but that don't mean they can't steal your identity, too. Wait until the IRS question you about why you're earning such and such money while drawing a social security check and any number of indignities... that you'll have to pay out the nose to clear up.
But it's such a victimless crime isn't it?
Are you sure
May 27, 2008 - 12:08 ET by DEVILDOCMOMthese articles are not some vast right wing conspiracy? Oh wait, even hrc has felt the idocy on the left.
We "shared" an identity for a while with a total stranger who decided to borrow ours in Phoenix. We were not thrilled with this sharing and immediately notified the police and credit card companies. Yes, our new friend immediately opened many accounts and purchased large screen TV's, IPOD's and other family necessities as he struggled to feed his poor downtroden Mexican family.
Yes, I am sure "well-intentioned Mexicans who are simply doing what they need to do to get a job and feed their families" was what happened in this case. And if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.
So if one of these
May 27, 2008 - 12:09 ET by Dan The Man 2So if one of these "well-intentioned Mexicans who are simply doing what they need to do to get a job and feed their families." just happens to claim squaters rights in his house and land I imagine there would be some serious problems. But, we must remember they are well intentioned and we must also remember the old adage that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Is there no limit to the
May 27, 2008 - 12:13 ET by Indiana JoeIs there no limit to the legal and verbal gymnastics to justify illegal behavior? So these "well-intentioned Mexicans" aren't really criminals? No, they just entered this country illegally, and then used stolen SSN's "out of sheer need." No criminals here, nosiree.
As for these "immigrant rights" people, I would be offended were I a legal immigrant. "Immigrant rights" is merely code-speak for "rights for ILLEGAL immigrants." They try to lump all immigrants together to legitimize the illegals, thereby diminishing what REAL immigrants went through to get here.
This is everything...
May 27, 2008 - 12:15 ET by ontheright...that is wrong with our great country. All that's "right" is wrong and all that's wrong is irrelevent as long as you are here illegally and promise to vote Democrat.
If this is what is needed to
May 27, 2008 - 12:18 ET by FastEd"solve" the "immigration" problem, how come there isn't a looooong line of demolibs waiting to give up their SS numbers? Could it be that even those folks "know" it's wrong, or are they afraid that they might have to "share" THEIR wealth with the undocumented? Or have they figured out that they might get "taxed" for their additional wealth? Ummmmm. Poor little rich demolibs.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Now you're talking. Hey
May 27, 2008 - 15:06 ET by dscottNow you're talking. Hey lefties from lala land! The illegals need your SS# to work here legally, so how about putting your money where you mouth is and volunteer you number to La Raza. You are so self-righteously high and mighty about illegals working here, so you can't possibly have a problem with giving your SS# to one of them? I mean you know if ours gets used were reporting them to the police and pushing for them to be deported.
When the libs in Congress get their way that illegals using your SS# get to have a SS pension at age 67, you can self righteously claim you're sharing your monthly SS retirement check with them too. On the plus side if your lib Congressmen don't pass that law, well then your payoff will be a higher pension check - maybe. SS has been pocketing those mismatched payments for years because they "know" who is misusing the SS#. Any wonder why no one in government is hot to deport the illegals and refuses to share this info with the IRS and Homeland Security? Let's not count all the income tax not collected by the IRS either.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
The innocent victims of Social Security fraud
May 27, 2008 - 12:30 ET by BrittanicusIllegal immigration has become a nightmare for citizens, as it is not just counterfeit documents that we are exposed to? But the theft and appropriation of innocent citizens private records. Being a Senior citizen I really have had no need to keep an eye on my SS number. Until I found out that my SS# was was being used by two individuals. One in Dallas, TX and another in Utah. Whoever was using my SS# in Dallas, was employed at a Security company of all things. When I reported it to the Social Security Administration they were completely lackluster about it, as if you are the culprit.
Its come to a serious point now when these government organizations should work together, instead of telling us it's because of security for public records. However this is bitter garbage, when our records are farmed out aboard and heaven knows what else? The Social Security should be able to join records with homeland security, along with Immigration records. none of these hired helps in Washington seems to care, other than waste their time in endless committees. They seem to be more favorable to the credit card people and financial institutions, than the American people. Perhaps some 'HACKER' should get it into his head, to access all the Washington elites, the power-broker, Governors, Mayors, the House of Representatives and every politician and place their Social Security, date of birth, where they were born and their bank account numbers on the Internet. Perhaps when they find out some illegal alien of criminal is using their identity, they might then do something...?
I great nation as deteriorated because of the illegal immigration invasion. Deceased peoples social security numbers have been used, young children's numbers stolen at hospitals; even our men and women fighting in a lousy war, to benefit nation builders ID have been stolen? When is this serious threat to America, ever going to end..? Jesus Christ! We really need somebody to look after the American people, instead of pandering to the illegal immigrants and the cost to us.
The Federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088) might be the answer. However corrupt Democrats refuse to sponsor this bill? The need a push from the Public!
"... well-intentioned
May 27, 2008 - 12:52 ET by stratmanMSNBC.com blogger Bob Sullivan is an idiot and possibly a closet racist. Illegal aliens come from a variety of Central and South American countries, not just Mexico.
RRAM Tough!
Maybe Sullivan could share
May 27, 2008 - 13:13 ET by ThisnThatMaybe Sullivan could share his SSN with them. Or better yet, give them Obermann's number. After they start stocking their shelves withTVs, new cars, etc., let's see who calls whom the "worst".
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Not unlike...
May 27, 2008 - 13:36 ET by Prester John...sharing your wallet with someone in need who mugs you.
PJ - sorta like
May 27, 2008 - 13:56 ET by FastEdthe govt when they take my money and call it a tax.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
It's not that these people intentionally and maliciously...
May 27, 2008 - 16:06 ET by wizardjr"It's not that these people intentionally and maliciously stole someone's name and identity."
That's about as lame as, "Really Officer, he fell on my knife 18 times. I swear it was an accident."
how is it that...
May 27, 2008 - 16:43 ET by UndercoverConservative..if I download a song from the Internet or copy a movie DVD to my hard drive, and then share that file with a friend, I can look forward to excessive fines, jail time, financial ruin, etc. and the situation is called "theft".
Now if someone steals my SSI without my knowledge or consent for the express purpose of committing fraud and other crimes in order to support the continued commission of the crime of illegal invasion of this country, and it's considered "sharing".
"All the cops are criminals, and all the sinners, saints.." Mick had it right, I think. When did America become the land beyond the Looking Glass? Theft=Sharing. Sharing=Theft. Slavery=Freedom. Intellectual Oppression by the Left=Freedom of Speech. Sedition and Treason=Free Press.
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is the same as calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
Hey Sullivan - so if
May 27, 2008 - 17:45 ET by SickofLibsHey Sullivan - so if tonight, 10 mexicans kick in your front door and rob you blind at gunpoint that'd be OK with you cause they're doing it out of sheer need?
...like you said, just a "red tape" issue...
Hey Sick, you've got it all wrong
May 27, 2008 - 18:33 ET by FastEdthey'd be doing the job that Americans don't want or can't do! It also says something about American "muggers" - it usually only take ONE to do that job.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Touché!
May 30, 2008 - 08:14 ET by SickofLibsTouché!
Sullivan should cough up
May 27, 2008 - 18:40 ET by Clear thinkerSullivan should cough up his S.S. # and hand it out (share) to those that need it.
Liberals, silly people!
"Abstain from McCain"