The Magic Number

Illegal immigrants are using stolen identities to work. But whose are they?

A A A Comments (3) By Jared Jacang Maher Thursday, Feb 15 2007

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Because anything can happen when a system creates a subclass of people who must assume the lives of others in order to survive.

A packet of information that the DPD sends to all identify-theft victims went astray, because Maria's address was filled out incorrectly on the police report; her case is still open. She has heard nothing more from Wendy's. (The regional HR manager declined to speak with Westwordand referred all inquiries to the company lawyer, who did not respond to numerous phone messages. Finally on February 13, company spokesman Bob Bertini said he would check with the Wendy's legal department to see if a letter clearing up Maria's work history -- or lack thereof -- can be arranged. According to Bertini, Wendy's checks all employee names and Social Security numbers through the SSA's website, which, like Basic Pilot, only flags mismatches.)

Tony Gallagher

When she tried to get help for her son, Maria Tinajero discovered someone was using her name.

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Maria is tired of waiting. She needs money for her children; she needs more work. Although she's had many interviews in the past two weeks, none has resulted in a job. But she keeps looking for full-time employment -- all the while wondering if her name and number are already working without her.

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Salvador Tinajero 08/06/2008 10:14:00 PM

To Maria Tinajero and Mary Tinajero, I am Salvador and was born in Chicago, IL. If you are my sister that I haven't seen in over 25 years, I truly would like to reach out and renew our kinship. Please contact the Denver Westword News for my email address. If neither of you are my sister, I empathize with you Maria, I too was a victim of ID theft and it took my over 7 years to clear my name and credit standing. I wish you better luck than I had in combating the fraud and being victimized by the whole ordeal. God Speed and I hope you (Maria) or Mary are my long lost sister, and just in closing mom and dad are fine and the rest of our sisters are doing good.

Lar 02/22/2007 2:52:00 PM

"Because anything can happen when a system creates a subclass of people who must assume the lives of others in order to survive." Blame the system? Are you suggesting that the laws requiring 2 of 3 types if ID when applying for a job be repealed? The system didn't create a subclass of people . . . they one by one made a concious decision to join that subclass when they came here illegally.

S. Williams 02/15/2007 7:51:00 PM

I wonder if Maria Tinajero understands that she not only lost her name and SSN to an illegal immigrant, she probably lost that job she's been looking for, too. Thanks to Jared Jacang Maher for putting a face on the real losers in this border-jumping epidemic - hispanic Americans. And a word to American Latinas: stop having the babies of these guys - they're competing against you for jobs, they can't stay and be a partner or a daddy, they won't be paying child support, and they probably already have a wife back home!