Illegal immigrants create market for stolen identities

ABC 4 is learning that thousands of Utah children may be victims of identity theft. Illegal immigrants could be using their social security numbers to get jobs here. The state Attorney General is on the case and will be sending out warning letters to possible victims this week.

A man we'll call "Guillermo" is one of thousands of immigrants who now call Utah home and are using someone else's social security number. Without it, Guillermo says he would not be able to work here. He says, "You need to work when you come the United States and you need this card, otherwise you're out of luck."

According to the Attorney General's office, this form of identity theft could be affecting upwards of 20,000 Utah children, and it often goes undetected until these kids get older. Kirk Torgensen with the Attorney General's office says, "The worst time to find out about that is when they are 18, try to got out and get a car loan, they go to get a student loan, they go to do something important and they find their credit history is wrecked."

So this week the Department of Workforce Services will be mailing a notification letter to a hundred Utahns whose kid's social security numbers may have been stolen. Though there are people who steal or buy these numbers to apply for credit cards, loans, and other transactions that can be damaging to a Utahn's credit, "Guillermo" says many illegal immigrants like him are not doing that. "We take these numbers, even though they're illegal, to work. You really don't want to hurt anybody but you want to work and you need these numbers." He says there is always fear and a feeling of guilt that he's had to do this, "But one has to eat and you'll do whatever it takes."

The notification letter will be sent specifically to people on public assistance who have children under 14 years old - with social security numbers - collecting at least $1000 in the first part of this year. If you think your child's social security number is being misused, you can make a report at the Attorney General's website


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