this is yahoo news today
DUBLIN, Calif. - Audra Schmierer's Social Security number really gets around. It has been used by at least ( 81 ) people in 17 states, most of them probably illegal immigrants trying to get work.
The federal government took years to discover the number was being used illegally, but authorities took little action even then.
"They knew what was happening but wouldn't do anything," said Schmierer, 33, a housewife in this affluent San Francisco suburb. "One name, one number, why can't they just match it up?"
Schmierer realized she had a problem in February 2005, when she got a statement from the IRS saying she owed $15,813 in back taxes — even though she had not worked since her son was born in 2000.
People used her Social Security number from Florida to Washington state, at construction sites, fast-food restaurants and even major high-tech companies. Some opened bank accounts using the number.
2006-06-16
17:05:22
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