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Det. Paul Arnold of the Avon Police Department has collected hundreds of false identification and social security cards. They keep them at the station to help train officers to spot fake documents.
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ENLARGE
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Jeremy Lepore had his social security number stolen and had been accused of owing $4,600 in unpaid taxes because two illegal immigrants used identity to get jobs.
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\EDWARDS - Jeremy Lepore lost his Social Security number and identity to illegal immigrants.
The 27-year-old Edwards resident misplaced his wallet in Denver earlier this year. He kissed the Social Security card, credit cards and other items inside good-bye. And in May, the Internal Revenue Service sent Lepore a letter asking for $4,600 in unpaid taxes for three jobs in Golden, Colo. and Wisconsin that he had never held.
Two illegal immigrants had used Lepore's Social Security number to get jobs, he said.
"I literally was dumbfounded because I had no idea this was possible," Lepore said.
Instances of identity theft by illegal immigrants are common in Eagle County, Avon police Det. Paul Arnold said.
"I'd say probably about three quarters of the illegals I've dealt with here get false documents," Arnold said. "With the number of illegals here in the valley, I'd say there are thousands of them."
The crime, Arnold said, usually goes something like this:
The 27-year-old Edwards resident misplaced his wallet in Denver earlier this year. He kissed the Social Security card, credit cards and other items inside good-bye. And in May, the Internal Revenue Service sent Lepore a letter asking for $4,600 in unpaid taxes for three jobs in Golden, Colo. and Wisconsin that he had never held.
Two illegal immigrants had used Lepore's Social Security number to get jobs, he said.
"I literally was dumbfounded because I had no idea this was possible," Lepore said.
Instances of identity theft by illegal immigrants are common in Eagle County, Avon police Det. Paul Arnold said.
"I'd say probably about three quarters of the illegals I've dealt with here get false documents," Arnold said. "With the number of illegals here in the valley, I'd say there are thousands of them."
The crime, Arnold said, usually goes something like this:
Someone obtains social security numbers from the trash, with electronic machines that read information on credit cards or by other means. The criminal sells the numbers to a forger who produces fake alien registration and Social Security cards. An illegal immigrant then buys the fraudulent identification to get a job.
"It's become an industry for some people," Arnold said. "They can sell an identity for $500."
The identities often are sold to more than one person. In Lepore's case, his identity was given to two illegal immigrants who each claimed nine dependents at three jobs.
The high number of dependents lowered those worker's taxes so they'd have more take-home pay, Arnold said.
The breadth of the ordeal really hit Lepore when he saw both illegals' California drivers licenses with their pictures and his name on them.
"It was just absolutely insane," Lepore said.
Nabbing illegal immigrants with false identification is often difficult, Arnold said. Police and business representatives often can't tell the documents are fake and some businesses knowingly ignore fraudulent identification, he said.
In other cases, businesses don't photocopy a new hire's identification or make an employee fill out the proper tax forms, Arnold said. Without the photocopies and tax forms, police can't prove the business hired illegally, he said.
"It doesn't help us that employers hire people knowing they're illegal to pay them less wages," Arnold said.
"It's become an industry for some people," Arnold said. "They can sell an identity for $500."
The identities often are sold to more than one person. In Lepore's case, his identity was given to two illegal immigrants who each claimed nine dependents at three jobs.
The high number of dependents lowered those worker's taxes so they'd have more take-home pay, Arnold said.
The breadth of the ordeal really hit Lepore when he saw both illegals' California drivers licenses with their pictures and his name on them.
"It was just absolutely insane," Lepore said.
Nabbing illegal immigrants with false identification is often difficult, Arnold said. Police and business representatives often can't tell the documents are fake and some businesses knowingly ignore fraudulent identification, he said.
In other cases, businesses don't photocopy a new hire's identification or make an employee fill out the proper tax forms, Arnold said. Without the photocopies and tax forms, police can't prove the business hired illegally, he said.
"It doesn't help us that employers hire people knowing they're illegal to pay them less wages," Arnold said.
There are major employers in the valley who practice these slights of hand, although Arnold refused to disclose the employers.
In 2001, Avon police arrested illegal immigrant Armando Mendoza for using a Texas man's identity to get a job at a local hotel, an Avon police report shows. Federal agents deported Mendoza, but he returned to Avon. The hotel rehired Mendoza, who again used the Texas man's identity, the report says.
Arnold arrested Mendoza in January. He was subsequently deported.
Mendoza told police the hotel never required him to produce identification to get the job, the report shows.
If an illegal immigrant is caught using someone's identity, they can be charged with forgery, criminal impersonation or identity theft. Often the criminal is deported in lieu of prison, but if an illegal immigrant returns to the United States they can be sent to prison, Arnold said.
Lepore had to obtain evidence from several sources to prove to the IRS the two illegals weren't him. In August, the government agency absolved Lepore. However, for the rest of his life, Lepore must constantly check his credit to ensure no one else is using his identity.
He signed up for an identity theft program through his bank which red flags suspicious credit activity. He recommends other people do the same to avoid identity theft.
Lepore is fairly confident his identity might again be stolen, he said.
In 2001, Avon police arrested illegal immigrant Armando Mendoza for using a Texas man's identity to get a job at a local hotel, an Avon police report shows. Federal agents deported Mendoza, but he returned to Avon. The hotel rehired Mendoza, who again used the Texas man's identity, the report says.
Arnold arrested Mendoza in January. He was subsequently deported.
Mendoza told police the hotel never required him to produce identification to get the job, the report shows.
If an illegal immigrant is caught using someone's identity, they can be charged with forgery, criminal impersonation or identity theft. Often the criminal is deported in lieu of prison, but if an illegal immigrant returns to the United States they can be sent to prison, Arnold said.
Lepore had to obtain evidence from several sources to prove to the IRS the two illegals weren't him. In August, the government agency absolved Lepore. However, for the rest of his life, Lepore must constantly check his credit to ensure no one else is using his identity.
He signed up for an identity theft program through his bank which red flags suspicious credit activity. He recommends other people do the same to avoid identity theft.
Lepore is fairly confident his identity might again be stolen, he said.
Ways to protect yourself
• Shred personal information
• Pay with cash at restaurants • Never let your credit card out of sight Source: Avon police department Number of reported illegal immigrant identity thefts Vail 2005-0, 2006-2 Avon 2005-3, 2006-11 Eagle County 2005-3, 2006-6 |
"There are going to be a lot more attack years," Lepore said. "It's just a reality I have to face."
Staff Writer J.K. Perry can be reached at 748-2928 or jkperry@vaildaily.com.
Vail Daily, Vail Colorado CO
Staff Writer J.K. Perry can be reached at 748-2928 or jkperry@vaildaily.com.
Vail Daily, Vail Colorado CO
