Arizona Ranked No. 1 State for Identity
Theft
Arizona has been ranked the No. 1 state for identity
theft with more than 293,000 residents falling victim
last year.
...the state's troubles stem from illegal immigration,
fraudulent employment, methamphetamine use and the
state's lack of enforcement.
From Phoenix Business Journal: Identity theft charges handed down
against Tempe woman
Suspected Illegal Immigrants Arrested
on Fraud Charges
Sheriff's deputies said they've arrested eight
suspected illegal immigrants on fraud charges for
allegedly using forged documents or stolen identities to
get jobs at two amusement parks in metropolitan Phoenix.
From KTAR.com: 8 suspected illegal immigrants face fraud
charges after raid
Identity Theft in America
Goes Hand and Hand with Illegal Immigration
Seeking access to jobs, credit, and driver’s
licenses, many undocumented aliens are using the personal
data of real Americans on forged documents. The
immigrants’ identity theft has become so pervasive
that the need to combat it is "a disturbing front in
the war against illegal immigration," according to U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The top five states in terms of reported identity
theft in 2007 all have large immigrant populations - the
border states of Arizona, California, and Texas, as well
as Florida and Nevada.
People who pilfer legitimate identities in these
states are much more likely than in other parts of the
country to use them to gain employment unlawfully—the
most common reason that illegal aliens steal personal
information. In Arizona, for instance, 36 percent of all
identity theft is for employment purposes, compared with
only 5 percent in Maine, a state with far fewer illegal
aliens.
Read Steven Malanga's article in City Journal: Illegal in More Ways than One
Authorities expect ID thieves to
target real Social Security numbers
Arizona's identity-theft rate is the highest in the
nation. The Phoenix area's identity-theft rate also ranks
first compared with other metropolitan areas. Identity
theft tied to employment fraud is the main reason the
rate is so high in Arizona.
Authorities say a "two-pack" - a green card
and a Social Security card - costs as little as $70 on
the street. A "three-pack" - a green card,
driver's license and Social Security card - goes for $140
to $160.
From The Arizona Republic: New hiring law spurs identity-theft fears
Accused ID thief to cops: Arrest real
criminals
A suspected identity thief told police on Tuesday to
arrest "real criminals" instead of a "good
family man" like himself, court records said.
The records stated [the suspect] racked up $787,000 in
loans and has tried to get a job using the victim’s
personal information.
[Suspect] also told police he is an illegal immigrant.
From The East Vally Tribune: Accused ID thief to cops: Arrest real
criminals
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