[quote=bearishgurl]To answer your questions about identity theft, AN, I suppose one can use a minor’s SSN to apply for credit, etc. Since a minor doesn’t really NEED to use their SSN yet, when they become an adult and run their credit reports, they will find out someone else used their SSN to open new credit accounts and pretended to be them when they were too young to take out any credit. I imagine this could take awhile to clear up.

I would presume persons using a decedent’s SSN could attempt to take out credit in that decedent’s name and get away with it for awhile or even indefinitely. This would depend on how long the SSN-holder has been dead, their age at time of death and whether their estate was still open.[/quote]
Why are you assuming the identity only belong to minor and the deceased? As someone who got their identity stolen and said “person” tried but unsuccessfully to open credit and buy stuff with my identity, I have 0 tolerance for people who do this. It took me many hours and constant headaches for months to make sure that person won’t be successful trying to open an account under my name. I can’t imagine what it would be like for a minor to grow and find out they owe many thousands for many years. With regards to the deceased, it’s no different than if these thieves goes into the bank and rob them of thousands at gun point. So, I have NO sympathy for anyone who steal other’s identity. I hope they’ll get boot ASAP.

BTW, if one truly really want to fix immigration, they would allow ALL foreign students to have permanent resident status. They should also allow the children of illegals to get permanent resident status too (assuming they commit no crime, including identity theft). We should create some kind of special Visa for migrant workers who just want to come here to work in the field during picking seasons. If we give them a legal way to get in, then we can monitor that. We should also fine all corporations who purposefully hire illegals. I don’t expect true reform to happen, because both side have something to lose. So, the “Dream Act” is nothing more than pandering. It, in no way will fix the immigration problem.