State Senate passes fake ID bill

From Animal New York

From the Times Ledger:

The illicit market for fake identification has made Roosevelt Avenue a destination for decades for underage youths looking for “proof” to enter bars and clubs as well as immigrants looking for a fake green card or Social Security card.

In 2005, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was aware of the problem and was working with law enforcement to prevent false documents from aiding terrorists. State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) has spent nearly a decade trying to remedy the dangerous situation.

His bill to crack down on the fake ID market and other forged official documents was passed unanimously by the state Senate last Friday. The bill toughens the penalties against individuals who manufacture or sell fake IDs, especially government identifications, such as driver’s licenses, passports and Social Security cards.

“This illicit industry does us a lot of harm, and it is still a huge problem in Queens,” Peralta said. “This bill and the new municipal ID program is very bad news for the counterfeit mills operators. We have to crack down on the mills and increase the penalties on these mill operators to eradicate this serious problem.”

The bill prohibits the sale of forged instruments. It also amends the penal code to include the sale and manufacture of government issue documents as a class C felony in the first degree that would carry a penalty of 1 to 15 years behind bars. In addition, it creates the presumption that an individual who possesses two or more forged government documents depicting a person other than him or herself intends to sell those fake documents.

SS numbers used fraudulently, illegals getting tax breaks

From NPR:

More than 4,000 people availed of the government's employment-verification system using Social Security numbers belonging to people over the age of 112. Trouble is fewer than 40 people are known to have reached that age. That's one of the revelations from a review by the watchdog for the Social Security Administration.

The review also said there were approximately 6.5 million Social Security numbers linked to people 112 years of age or older. The reason, the review said: "SSA did not have controls in place to annotate death information on the ... records of numberholders who exceeded maximum reasonable life expectancies and were likely deceased."

According to the most recent data, there were fewer than 40 people worldwide who were living at 112 years, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

The review noted that in one case a man opened bank accounts using several different Social Security numbers — two of which belonged to number-holders born in 1869 and 1893, respectively. That would make one of them 145 years old and the other 121. The Social Security Administration's system indicated that both number-holders were alive.

From Forbes:

Whatever one thinks of the President Obama’s aggressive executive action on immigration—which is still being litigated in the courts—tax refunds for the affected illegal immigrants has itself become controversial. The IRS says that illegals can file and claim refunds for the last three years under the Earned Income Tax Credit. That is the same refundable tax credit that is responsible for billions in fraudulent refunds. IRS Commissioner Koskinen confirmed this, explaining the seemingly bizarre result to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa).

What if you never reported any income or never filed a return? Under President Obama’s executive action, an illegal immigrant can: (1) get a Social Security number; (2) claim the Earned Income Tax Credit for the three open tax years; and (3) IRS sends three years of tax refunds. No matter that you never paid taxes, never filed a return, worked off the books, etc.

The IRS says this is the way the Earned Income Tax Credit works. IRS Commissioner Koskinen says the IRS is following a 15-year-old opinion that “a taxpayer may claim the Earned Income Tax Credit for a taxable year using a Social Security number acquired in a later taxable year.” Calling the three year tax refund perk a mockery of the law, Senator Grassley noted that illegals would be able to claim billions of dollars in tax benefits.

Sen. Grassley vowed legislation to overturn the IRS position. “The tax code shouldn’t reward those who broke our immigration laws,” he said. So far, the President hasn’t backed down, so U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry has introduced a bill to keep undocumented workers from receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit, a benefit for low- to moderate-income taxpayers.

“My bill is a direct result of the (IRS) announcement,” said McHenry, a Republican who represents the 10th District, which includes Gaston County. “It’s very simple. If you’re not here legally, you should not be able to access the Earned Income Credit. It’s for the American taxpayers who are trying to make ends meet.”

Illegals in the U.S. covered by President Obama’s recent action can apply for tax breaks going back three years. Rep. McHenry thinks there is a great chance for fraudulent returns, noting that even if undocumented workers were employed in the past, many may have used Social Security numbers that didn’t belong to them. That in itself is fraud.

[A video is embedded up top, but if you can't see it, you can view it here.]

Sandy victims can pay money back slowly

From the Daily News:

Seniors at a Queens assisted living facility made homeless by Hurricane Sandy will not have to dig into their meager bank accounts to pay back federal disaster relief aid, lawmakers announced Tuesday.

About 30 residents of Belle Harbor Manor in Rockaway were driven to panic in November when the Federal Emergency Management Agency sent letters asking them to return funds because they were also reimbursed by insurance companies.

“I will sleep better tonight,” said Angelo Cantanzaro, who has lived at the complex for 10 years and was asked by FEMA to repay almost $2,500. “The poor people got a break.”

The residents had collectively received $108,598, with most of that money intended to cover temporary housing, according to data obtained through a previous public records request.

They were moved to different state-funded shelters, and they used the money to purchase vital items such as food and clothing.

God bless America!

From the NY Post:

Two City Council members have been in public service for so long, they’re collecting government pay from three sources — salary, pension and Social Security, according to newly released financial-disclosure forms.

Oliver Koppell (D-Bronx) — one of the wealthiest members of the City Council — and Karen Koslowitz (D-Queens) each collected income on top of their $122,500 council salaries.

Koppell took in as much as $60,000 in pension from his longtime gig as a state assemblyman, and between $5,000 and $44,000 in Social Security.

Koslowitz took in between $60,000 and $100,000 in pension payouts last year for working a previous stint on the council and as Queens Deputy Borough President until she rejoined the council in 2010.

Koslowitz also earned between $5,000 and $44,000 in Social Security last year and has between $10,000 and $88,000 in credit card debt.

Bakery worker and pal busted making forged IDs

From the Daily News:

A Brooklyn bakery worker who sold cakes and pastries also ran a half-baked side business that offered forged ID cards, prosecutors charged Thursday.

Jose Mateo Castro, 56, who worked at Las Conchitas Bakery in Sunset Park, was recently indicted, along with Leonel Escamiilo, 43, who is accused of producing the phony IDs out of his basement. Authorities said they sold a bogus green card and Social Security card to an informant.

"According to the agents at Homeland Security, these documents looked so authentic that an ordinary lay person could not detect them to be phony," said Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes. The feds were tipped off about a forged-ID-selling baker in summer 2011. A subsequent yearlong probe involved surveillance from cars and a helicopter, Hynes said.

The two suspects, who are being held on bail, face seven years in prison if convicted, followed by deportation to their native Mexico.

When it comes to Social Security, Rory has a plan

From the Times Ledger:

State Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) went on the offensive Tuesday, saying he is the only candidate in the race for the newly created congressional seat centered around Flushing who has a plan to fix Social Security.

“Our seniors, and those who will soon become seniors, deserve more than a head-in-the-sand approach to Social Security from their member of Congress,” Lancman said. “And so far I’m the only candidate in this race that has offered a real plan to save Social Security without reducing benefits, raising the retirement age or privatizing Social Security altogether.”

Lancman favors eliminating an exemption on Social Security taxes paid on an individual’s income over $110,600. If the exemption is eliminated, he said, the program would remain solvent for another 75 years. It is widely predicted that by 2033 the program will be unable to provide 100 percent coverage to seniors if no legislative action is taken.

Lancman blasted his opponents, City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) and state Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing), for what he called their idea that job growth alone will allow more people to pay into the system.

But the two candidates countered that the increase in Social Security payments would essentially be a tax.

What Dizzy Lizzy stands for in her own words

From the Queens Chronicle:

The two-term councilwoman is seeking the Democratic nomination for the new 6th Congressional District.

Crowley is in the midst of her first full term. She served a year prior to that after winning a special election.

On transportation, she said she is tired of projects such as the Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access project and the 7 subway line extension, “projects that pass through here that we don’t benefit from.”

Actually, quite a few of her potential constituents would benefit from this project. LIRR runs east of Flushing and would bring all those folks into Grand Central. As for the 7 subway line extension, that doesn't run through her potential district, it's in Manhattan only.

Crowley said the 7 could be extended in other directions, such as to connect LaGuardia Airport and the future development at Willets Point to Manhattan.

When did the 7 train STOP going to Willets Point?

In addressing the nation’s $16 trillion deficit, Crowley could not identify any non-military programs that she would eliminate from the budget.

“I would cut parts of programs,” she said. “I’m sure there is waste and fraud.”

Wow, now there's some deep thinking.

She did not directly acknowledge that saving the money by pulling out of Afghanistan, where the Taliban allowed al-Qaeda to hatch its 9/11 attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, could once again leave a dangerous vacuum where terrorists could plot more attacks on the United States. “I don’t know where it ends over there,” she said.

What a fine grasp of foreign policy and homeland security!

While demographics in the Unites States have changed dramatically since Social Security’s inception in 1935, Crowley said that there is no need to restructure the program, even with President Obama’s own experts saying the fund is unsustainable at its current ratio of workers to benefit recipients.

“I think when more people get back to work and begin paying into the system again that will fix itself,” she said.

And there you go. Stupid is as stupid does. Or in this case, doesn't do.

Committed fraud? Welcome to America!

From the Daily News:

Q. I once worked using a phony social security card. Will that keep me from getting U.S. citizenship? When I first came to the United States, I had trouble finding work. Everywhere I went, employers asked me for a social security card. Finally, I paid someone to get me a card using someone else’s documents. Later, when I got my own employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, I got a new card at the Social Security office. The clerk there said she corrected the information in my social security records.

I.O., N.Y.

A. Your having worked using a phony social security card shouldn’t keep you from naturalizing. Using a false card is not, by itself, grounds for denying you U.S. citizenship. Note however, that making a false claim to U.S. citizenship is grounds for denying permanent residence and for deportation. If when using your phony social security card to work you claimed that you were a U.S. citizen, and USCIS finds out, you could have problems. Courts have restricted immigration’s right to penalize a person for claiming U.S. citizenship in employment. If you have concerns however, see an immigration law expert before applying for naturalization. I doubt USCIS will deny you citizenship, but you should be ready should that happen. That said, getting a new card was the right thing to do. If your employers were deducting taxes and reporting your income using the phony card, the Social Security Administration should credit your social security retirement payments to your new account. So, by “reconciling” the two accounts, if you retire in the United States you can get credit for all the time you worked.

Fake IDs bought on Jackson Heights streets

From the NY Post:

It’s a passport to trouble — and it can be bought for just $260 on the streets of Jackson Heights, Queens.

In just one hour, The Post was able to buy a phony green card, Social Security card and New York state driver’s license from a stranger on a corner — all of which could serve as a gateway to obtain legitimate IDs.

The cards are frighteningly real — convincing enough to fool creditors, potential employers and security at buildings and even the airport.

Experts said the biggest fear is that these IDs are being bought by people who slipped past border crossings.

Gangs selling fake IDs to illegals

From the Times Ledger:

Police arrested 18 people, many who have suspected ties to the international street gang M18, on charges of running a fake identification mill for immigrants in Jackson Heights, the Queens district attorney’s office said.

Those who were taken into custody, 13 of whom are Queens residents, included seven men believed to be M18 members who allegedly gave forged documents to the police when officers asked for their identification papers, three men who were allegedly caught exchanging a fake Social Security card and permanent resident card for cash, two suspected M18 members and document forgers, another man and a woman who allegedly had forged documents and four other alleged M18 members, the DA said.

The arrests were made as part of an investigation beginning in June 2010 by the NYPD’s Manhattan Gang Squad of an alleged M18-run forged document organization centered in Jackson Heights, the DA said.

State Assemblyman Francisco Moya (D-Jackson Heights) said Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights have become an epicenter of gang recruitment of children and he applauded Brown’s work.

Glendale Social Security office to close

From Forest Hills Patch:

Starting this summer, residents looking for help from the Rego Park social security office may have to wait ihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifn longer lines than they are used to.

The Social Security Administration is proposing to close its Glendale office, sending the people who patronize the office to other locations in the city — most likely Rego Park or Cypress Hills in Brooklyn.

Glendale’s office, on Myrtle Avenue, is south of the Rego Park office and north of Cypress Hills, but it serves an area where local transportation is largely done by bus for those who can’t drive themselves.

Big brother Bloomberg is watching

From NY1:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says putting fingerprints on social security cards would help control the nation's borders, and give employers a way to check whether potential hires are legal citizens.

"The companies could just run it through a computer," Bloomberg said Friday morning on his weekly radio show. “And if you're an undocumented illegal, they just don't give you the job. And you're not going to come here if you cant get a job."

The mayor's remarks come on the heels of his trip to Washington on Tuesday, where he took part in a discussion on immigration policy with President Obama and other politicians.

Critics of Bloomberg's proposal say putting fingerprints on social security cards would not only be a burden for immigrants, but an imposition on all Americans.

"Once you open the door to such government intrusion what you're doing is you're allowing the Government to collect all sorts of information and we have questions about what this will mean for the future," said Jacki Eposito of the New York Immigration Coalition.

The idea of putting fingerprints on social security cards has been floated by other elected officials, including Sen. Charles Schumer.

Did you know that Bloomberg happens to manufacture a line of fingerprint readers?
Top photo from Queens Latino

Decent chance your SS# is being used by someone else

From MSNBC:

What are the odds someone else has used your Social Security number? One in 7.

That’s the stunning conclusion of a San Diego company's analysis of 290 million Social Security numbers, which found that 40 million of them have been attached to more than one name. The study, conducted by the fraud-fighting firm ID Analytics, is the first of its kind that’s been made available to the public.

We first wrote about the problem of “SSN-only” identity theft five years ago, and estimated that millions of Americans were on the “secret list of identity theft victims” whose SSNs had been misappropriated by an imposter to obtain work or credit.

The IRS often knows when this happens, when the imposter pays taxes. The Social Security Administration knows, too, for the same reason. And the nation's credit bureaus usually know, because the imposter often ends up applying for some form of credit. Plenty of financial institutions also have access to this information.

But no one is telling you. In short, all these government agencies and financial firms don't think you have a right to know.

We're no closer to finding out who's on that list today, but at least we now know how big the problem is: much bigger than we originally estimated.

Group helping illegals get tax refunds

From the Daily News:

A Manhattan group is helping illegal immigrants recoup unclaimed state tax refunds - even if they used fake Social Security numbers to work.

The Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project got back thousands for a dozen undocumented New Yorkers who overpaid.

One bodega worker from Jackson Heights had been paying taxes since 2002 but never got a refund - until the group helped him get back $670 from his 2008 return.

"It really helped - we have two young kids," said his wife, who says they pay taxes because "it's the right thing to do."

Thousands more could be due a windfall from the Department of Taxation and Finance.

Verenda Smith, interim executive director of the Federation of Tax Administrators, notes that stealing a Social Security number is not a victimless crime.

"The person whose number is stolen ends up not being able to file a return, not being able to file electronically - getting notices from the IRS that you have unreported income. ... It's a massive headache," Smith said.

But Del Rio says most illegal immigrants use numbers that are made up and don't swipe someone's identity. Either way, labor laws protect all workers - undocumented or not.