Sept. 4, 2006, 12:37AM
Stealing an identity to work is becoming more common
Many illegal immigrants using a stranger’s Social Security number for their daily lives

By JOHN LELAND
New York Times

Camber Lybbert thought it was a mistake when her bank told her that her daughter’s Social Security number was on their files for two credit cards and two auto loans, with an outstanding balance of more than $25,000. Her daughter is 3 years old.

For Lybbert and her husband, Tyson, the call was the beginning of a five-month scramble trying to clear up their daughter’s credit history. As it turned out, an illegal immigrant named Jose Tinoco had stolen their daughter’s Social Security number, not in pursuit of a financial crime, but in order to get a job.

The Social Security Administration is legally barred from sharing information with immigration or law enforcement agencies, or from telling the rightful owner of a Social Security number that someone else is using their number, said Mark Hinkle, a spokesperson.

Many have called for better cooperation among the Social Security Administration, IRS and Department of Homeland Security to prosecute workers who use false numbers and companies that hire them.

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