Quote Originally Posted by azwreath
Actually, it won't do you any good when it comes to benefits. The SSA removes any earnings not belonging to the legitimate owner of the SS#.

AHA! So the SSA DOES know that the legitimate owner of the SS# did not receive those earnings! Then why don't the IRS and the SSA directly prosecute the identity thief instead of the victim? Why aren't the crime prosecuted and the damages recovered without even getting the victim involved and turning his or her life upside down for years?

I have seen how the wrath of the police focuses on the victim when they do not have the perp to brutalize. The angry mob demands an arrest, so the police arrest whatever innocent bystander happened to get involved helping the victim.

I let my Red Cross First Aid certification lapse; it required me to provide first aid to an injured victim.

Also, if the law requires me to stay at the scene of crime as a witness, I want to stand as far away as possible without leaving the scene.