Articles & News About Your Career

Social Security, Employment And Identity Theft

Identity thieves steal your personal information for many reasons. Among those are to obtain credit (money) using your credit information, but also medical benefits, Veteran?s benefits and employment.

Why would anyone steal your identity just to get a job? For many reasons, for example some people are in the United States illegally and do not have a social security number. Some people can not pass background checks, or have a criminal background that would keep them from getting jobs. Whatever the reason, Social Security Numbers are hot merchandise, if yours can be gotten, it can be sold.

?Misuse of another individual's SSN is a violation of federal law and may lead to fines and/or imprisonment and disregarding the work authorization provisions printed on your Social Security card may be a violation of federal immigration law. Violations of applicable law regarding Social Security number fraud and misuse are serious crimes and will be prosecuted.? According to the Social Security Administration, The crime is considered a felony under federal and state laws and may result in fines and imprisonment.

In order to determine if there has been any use of your SSN to obtain employment, it is important to review your W-2 each year to determine that your social security benefits are being accurately reported and that the correct SSN is being used. Next, review your Social Security Statement issued to you each year. Check your statement against your W-2 to determine if there are any discrepancies. One way of determining if your SSN has been used illegally will be by monitoring the information on you benefits statement; which may state that benefits have been accessed or that the amount paid in maybe greater than the number reported on your W-2. To obtain a copy of your Statement of Benefits you may call the SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.

Are you responsible for the taxes on the wages resulting from someone being illegally employed? Probably not, and the taxes are paid directly through the employer. As a result that money is just sitting in an account held by the federal government.

What about Social Security Benefits? What happens to the money paid in through two people employed and using the same social security number? It is estimated that approximately 420 billion dollars in federal funds are sitting in ?limbo.? The government calls this the Earnings Suspense Fund. The money has been paid in, but there is no one to credit the funds or benefits to. This is because in many cases the user of your social security number is also using either their own name, or a fake name. The only people that benefit from this extra payment are the federal government as well as the imposter who is able to be employed. Each government agency (IRS and SSA) have a list of mis-matched numbers, that don?t belong to the names that are using them, so what are they doing about it?

Illegal use of your SSN is very difficult to find out about, unless you happen to apply for a job at the same place, or if they are also using it for theft of your credit information.

If after reviewing your benefits and wages information you are suspicious, take the next steps. Request a credit report to see if credit has also been obtained using your identity. If so, it is time to move quickly in order to rectify the errors in your employment, social security and credit history.

If you determine that your social security number has been compromised, you must contact the Social Security Administration and report it. Reports are made to the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General. You may file a complaint online at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig, call toll-free: 1-800-269-0271, fax: 410-597-0118, or write: SSA Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235.

Can you get a new social security number if you suspect that your number has been used? Maybe, but not always. The SSA will not issue a new number in the following circumstances: it was lost or stolen and no proof of damage has occurred, you are trying to avoid detection of poor credit or a criminal record, or you are trying to avoid some form of legal responsibility. However it is up to you to prove to them that your number is being used illegally, that you are not attempting to avoid credit collection or any other actions possibly pending against you.

Be proactive and try to protect and repair the damage yourself. File a report with the Social Security Administration, Federal Trade Commission and the three major credit agencies. However, without the issuance of a new Social Security Number, you are still at risk so you may want to consider using all the credit protection available to you such as placing fraud alerts on your credit report, credit freezes and consistent monitoring of your credit report. To report Identity Theft you may contact the Federal Trade Commission via telephone 1-877-438-4338.

You may find it necessary to consult with an attorney to protect your current and future benefit rights. Know your rights and stand up for them. Credit lenders or collection agents may attempt to threaten you or force you to pay for outstand debts incurred by use of your information. Consult with law enforcement officials, an attorney, the State?s Attorney General and consumer credit counseling organizations to determine what your rights and responsibilities are and you can assert them.

Lisa Carey is a contributing author for http://www.IdentityTheftSecrets.com. You can get tips on Identity theft protection, software, and monitoring your credit, as well as learn more about the secrets used by identity thieves at http://www.IdentityTheftSecrets.com

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

How Light Dimmer Switches Work
Light dimming is based on adjusting the voltage that gets to the lamp to emit only small amount of light. Light dimming has been possible for many decades by using adjustable power resistors and adjustable transformers. Electronics controlling also made possible to make them easily controllable from remote location.

Leadership and The Dirty Work
The airline, Jet Blue, has been featured in many magazines as a new company that has hard great results and success so far. A lot too has been mentioned about the challenges they face ahead and about the culture they created at the start and are working hard to foster now.

Motivation In The Place Of Work
In the businesses, it seems that few things motivate people to achieve more than avarice. If I make A and B, then perhaps I can work one to increase out of the business. All thought us like this at the same time or others. Or, if I do not obtain this not made, perhaps I will obtain put fire. The life well and to have as much money as possible are two of greatest motivations the than we will never know during our lives.

The Wine Space Founders Recently Noticed That There Were Limited Places On The Internet To Find Wine Related Employment
The Wine Space founders recently noticed that there were limited places on the internet to find wine related employment. Their research was done by reading other wine news on the internet and listening to what the wine space members were saying. "There is a need for a central station if you will, for employment that is specific to the wine industry," said Ron and KD, founders, thewinespace.com.

Residual Income Work At Home
Unless you are the heir to a fortune you need to work in order to sustain yourself and your children. If you are married or live as a couple, it would be possible to decide that one of you sacrifice your career and look after the children and their needs. There are times though when this is not a viable alternative. Maybe both of your careers are at points where moving away would mean professional suicide or maybe finance is the deciding factor. If career advancement is your concern then little can be done about the quality of life of your family. However, if finance is the factor you could consider work at home instead of your job, which will give you time with your children without sacrificing the overall income to your home.

Nursing Jobs Overseas Opportunities for Foreign Nurses in the United States
If you are looking to move your nursing abroad to the United States of America, then now is the time to do it. Hospitals in the USA are experiencing a staffing crisis, and this crisis is predicted to become worse over the next decade.

Spinnerbait Tactics That Work
How many fish have you missed?It is said you could be missing over half the fish that are coming after your spinner bait. Why? Because you're getting short strikes.

The Five 'P's of Self-Employment
The entrepreneur game is filled with an amazing variety of individuals. Laid-off workers, semi-retired individuals, inspired people with unbounded enthusiasm, and, oh yes, mothers too.

JobsWorkCareers.com Job Board Provides Employers With A Free Applicant Tracking System Complete With Corporate Career Site And Recruiting Desktop
JobsWorkCareers.com Job Board provides employers in the USA, Canada and worldwide with a free Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to help match employers with individuals looking for career opportunities. The ATS is provided to all employers at no cost when they sign up for a free membership with JobsWorkCareers.com.

Internet Home Based Business ? What Are the Legit Work at Home Hidden Opportunities
There are many types of legit work at home opportunities available as an internet home based business Choosing the right one is a matter of understanding and accepting your strengths

Retirement Jobs
Money is a very important factor when preparing for retirement. Many of today?s retirees go back to work because they are either bored in doing nothing on their home, or yearning to go back to work because of financial matters. Retirement jobs impose a significant constructive impact on the finances of a retiree. Below are the four factors of why most retirees prefer to go back to the work force.

New Report Helps Freelancers Put an End to Low-Paying Work
Successful freelancer reveals his 7 secrets to landing more lucrative freelance projects in a free report

Arlington Economic Development Brings 4,000 Jobs to Arlington County, Virginia
Corporate relocations and new facility openings emphasize economic strength in Arlington.

Entering Business Aviation, Part V: Tips on Finding Work
I will not pretend that this is the easiest topic to write about. In fact, my knowledge of how one finds work as a private flight attendant is based chiefly on what others have shared with me.