Sunday, December 13, 2009

Immigration reform may include measures to combat stolen IDs





Today's stories are the final installment in the series.For victims of identity theft, it doesn't take long to discover the problem is way bigger than one person.

It involves government agencies and a bureaucracy that is difficult to maneuver and even more difficult to understand. It may involve dealing with multiple law enforcement agencies, some that may be unwilling to investigate the case and really don't have to. It involves hours on the phone and computer, filing reports, clearing records, making inquiries and trying to find help.

And, of course, the stealing of identities, especially the illegal use of Social Security numbers, is part of the huge issue of immigration, which the federal government has yet to address in any comprehensive way.

Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Colo., said more needs to be done to address the crime of identity theft and assist victims, and help stop the illegal use of stolen Social Security numbers.

There needs to be better ways for employers to check if Social Security numbers are legitimate or if they have been stolen. E-Verify, an Internet-based system that allows an employer to determine the eligibility of an employee to work in the United States.

Right now, using E-Verify is voluntary, Markey said, and is limited to new hires only.

Markey hopes the government can work to encourage more employers to take part in the system. She said there have been improvements in the system, like requiring many employers who have federal contracts or subcontracts to use E-Verify.

A report issued by the University of Denver last week calls for permanent implementation of E-Verify.

“Employers need a much better way to know if someone is in fact authorized to work in the United States,â€