Should you get a new Social Security number? - Yahoo Finance

 

You can get a replacement Social Security number. But government officials and privacy experts caution against it, in large part because of the potential for post-replacement bureaucratic hassles. That might explain why in 2014 only 249 Americans requested and got their Social Security number changed because of someone else's misuse of it, according to the Social Security Administration.

Identity fraud related to stolen Social Security numbers is relatively uncommon, and our advice is, Take it seriously, but don't panic.

Here's how to decide whether obtaining a new Social Security number is right for your situation and our advice for getting one:

1. Assess your threat tolerance

There's cause for concern about the Anthem heist. The hackers took up to 80 million Social Security numbers, along with everything needed—name, address, date of birth, e-mail address, employment and income information—to open new credit accounts, obtain health benefits, earn taxable income, and even commit crimes in your name.

That means the thieves could take the money and leave you with the tax bills, collection letters, and bad credit reports, and also make you more vulnerable to spear-phishing attacks.

But Bob Geller, a privacy consultant, notes that each year, less than one percent of all consumers are victims of new-account and personal-information identity fraud compared with 6.2 percent for existing credit card and bank account ID fraud. On the other hand, 22.5 percent of breach notice recipients subsequently become victims of ID fraud, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, a California consulting firm.

Learn why you shouldn't give your doctor your Social Security number. Also, protect yourself with the advice in the paranoid's guide to digital security.

2. Gather evidence of recent misuse and hardship

To issue a new Social Security number, the SSA requires proof that your Social Security number is actually being misused and the problem is an ongoing hardship. Such evidence would include an identity thief filing a false tax return to steal your refund. Keep records of everything strange that might indicate trouble, such as an IRS letter questioning you about income not reported, records of your frustrating battle to correct credit reports, or a letter denying you a mortgage because of erroneous information.The SSA will also look to see whether you've tried to solve the problem with other tools at your disposal, such as a security freeze, which can help shut the door on the crook's access to your credit report.

3. Try easier remedies first

If you're a victim of tax-refund fraud, work with the IRS and respond immediately to notices. Case resolution takes about four months, and victims get an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, or IP PIN, a unique six-digit number that has been issued to 1.5 million taxpayers to file with their returns and showing that they're the rightful filers. Used together at the IRS, the Social Security number and IP PIN effectively become a modified replacement Social Security number.
If these efforts work, you probably don't need a new Social Security number; if they don't, the hardship you endure and persistence of the problem strengthen your case for a replacement.

4. Make the case at your local Social Security office

You'll need to use the application for an original Social Security card (Form SS-5) and prove your citizenship and identity with an unexpired drivers license, U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other acceptable documents, and document the misuse and ongoing problem. The decision is made at the local office level on a case-by-case basis. "Once we have all the necessary information verified, you can generally receive a new number within 10 business days," says Nicole Tiggemann, a spokeswoman for the Social Security Administration. Your original Social Security number won't be deleted; it will stay assigned to you and linked to the new one.

5. Request a letter confirming the change

The SSA will send information about the replacement to the IRS and your employer, and the new number is what becomes available to many federal agencies that need to know your SSN. It's up to you to notify others of the change.

"Sometimes getting a new number can leave you worse off," says Steve Toporoff, an attorney in the Federal Trade Commission's Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, because you need to contact all the government agencies, financial institutions, credit bureaus, health insurers, and other places where the old Social Security number might be used."

To make that process smoother, get a letter from the SSA detailing the change, stating that you will no longer be using the old number and start to refer to the new number, advises the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Be aware that a new Social Security number will not guarantee a clean slate or fresh start everywhere. For instance, you could end up with a new Social Security number but no credit history, which you would then have to straighten out. Or a state or municipal agency or private company could continue to use your old Social Security number, resulting in confusion over who you are or why there are no records about you. That, again, would be something you would have to rectify.

—Jeff Blyskal (@JeffBlyskal on Twitter)

Should you get a new Social Security number? - Yahoo Finance

Belvidere couple takes champion Wheaten to Westminster | The Rock River Times

Kent and Gwen Meyer, owners of Meyer’s Tails Up Farm in Belvidere, are travelling to New York to compete in the 139th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The Meyers will be showing “Ash,” GCH Bryr Rose Phoenix Rising, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, in breed competition over the weekend as part of Westminster’s confirmation program.

Ash claimed top prize this past October at the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America’s National Specialty, part of the annual Montgomery County Kennel Club series of shows.

He is owned by Carolyn Garrett of San Antonio, Texas.

“Ash is a very nice Soft Coated Wheaten,” says Reita Nicholson, local owner and breeder of AKC and UKC champion Kerry Blue Terriers.

“He exemplifies the breed standard with a beautiful coat and great movement.

“Kent and Gwen always show him to his best and he should be a very good contender in the breed and group ring at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.”

Westminster is the second longest running sporting competition in the U.S. behind the Kentucky Derby.

Terriers have dominated the competition since the Best in Show prize began in 1907, claiming 46 awards including the 2014 show.

If Ash takes the prize for top Wheatens he will compete in the Terrier Group program on Tuesday night.

Belvidere couple takes champion Wheaten to Westminster | The Rock River Times

Infrastructure needed in Boone County

 

 

Above is taken from the Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants around the county and on line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-02-13-15.pdf#page=1

Retiring Boone County Public Defender demands large settlement for accrued leave

The following news account of this issue appeared in February 13, 2015, Boone County Journal; SEE: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-02-13-15.pdf#page=1 

At the bottom of the posting is a Freedom of Information Request which was made to find out why Boone County was not aware of this unexpected request.

 

The old and new  Boone County personnel policy regarding accrual of annual leave is shown below.  The old policy wording is the lighter printed and struck-out printing.  The new added wording is shown in bolder print and underlined.  This policy comes from “Board Doc” for last month’s Boone County Board meeting (http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9SBQWE6A7C4E/$file/Personnel%20Policy_201412311240.pdf)

 

There appear to be many questions based upon the Minhas situation.  Based upon what facts that are known the following Freedom of Information Request was submitted to Boone County on Friday, February 13, 2015. The yellow highlighting was added to aid the reader.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Reports regarding the financial settlement of Azhir Minhas’ accrued leave request are very disturbing. This settlement questions if Boone County complies with reasonable business practices.

The following documents and information are requested under the Freedom of Information Act:

1. Mr. Minhas’ original request was for accrued leave amounting to nearly $50,000. Please provide any and all documents which Mr. Minhas submitted regarding that original request. If such documents do not exist please provide an explanation of what evidence Mr. Minhas provided for his original claim.

2. Provide copies of county records recording Mr. Minhas’ leave usage and accrual during the last fiscal year (December 1, 2013 thru November 31, 2014).

3. Based upon the personnel policy in effect during FY 2014, the Department Head (Mr. Minhas in the case of the Public Defender’s Office) would approve accrual of annual leave for members of his department. Please provide the documents verifying that Mr.Minhas or his designee approved Mr. Minhas’ accrued leave for the FY 2014. FY 2013, and other years involved in Minhas’ claim. If no such documents exist, so indicate.

4. It would appear that Boone County was aware of this sizeable accrued leave claim at the time that the administration was preparing year end statements for the auditor. Please supply copies of documents supplied to the auditors, regarding possible liability for accrued leave for Mr. Minhas and for leave/sick payment benefits of other county employees including departments run by elected officials. If no such communications occurred please so indicate.

5. I understand that the Boone County Health Department has “reserved” within its accounting system, nearly $20,000 for payment of accrued sick leave for employees who are eligible to retire. Please supply records from all departments (including departments with elected officials) concerning possible payments for accrued leave or sick leave. If no such records exist, so indicate.

6. There were closed session subcommittee and county board meetings regarding the Minhas Settlement. In as much as there is no litigation and Mr. Minhas is no longer employed by the county, please provide electronic recordings of these meetings. These meetings occurred in December 2014 and January 2015.The limited details of the topics discussed make it difficult to pin point the exact meetings involved.

7. I understand there were communications with the Circuit Court judges regarding Mr. Minhas’ leave request. Please provide copies of all written communications with the judges regarding this matter and/or written notes regarding oral communications.

Please send the requested information to my mailing address or call and I will gladly pick it up. If you need a CD recordable disc or other recordable media please contact me and I will provide it.

I have no commercial interest in the information requested. Some of the documents maybe posted on my inter net blog which is available free of cost to the public and has no commercial advertisement.

Sincerely,

BILL PYSSON

Republicans say Obama giving immigrants 'amnesty bonuses' - Yahoo Finance

 

Armed with new Social Security numbers, many of these immigrants who were living in the U.S. illegally will now be able to claim up to four years' worth of tax credits designed to benefit the working poor. For big families, that's a maximum of nearly $24,000, as long as they can document their earnings during those years.

Some Republicans are labeling the payments "amnesty bonuses," one more reason they oppose Obama's program shielding millions of immigrants from deportation.

"I represent hard working, law-biding Texans," said Rep. Sam Johnson, a senior Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee. "I think these amnesty rewards, and that's what they are, need to be stopped."

Advocates argue that many of these immigrants pay taxes, so they should be able to claim the same tax credits as anybody else. Over the past decade, immigrants in the U.S. illegally have paid an estimated $100 billion in Social Security payroll taxes, even though few will ever be able to collect benefits, said Stephen Goss, Social Security's chief actuary….

Even if these immigrants pay taxes, they are ineligible for most federal programs. They cannot legally get food stamps, unemployment benefits, Pell grants or federal student loans. They cannot get Medicaid, except for emergency medical services, and are ineligible for subsidies under Obama's health law.

They can claim some federal tax breaks, if they file tax returns

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  Republicans say Obama giving immigrants 'amnesty bonuses' - Yahoo Finance

Rauner order means no money for auto theft task force - News - The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL

 

By Matt Buedel
GateHouse Media Illinois
Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 3:17 PM

PEORIA — A task force that investigates stolen vehicles throughout central Illinois appears poised to disband at the end of the week after Gov. Bruce Rauner froze grant funds that reimburse officers' salaries.

The State and Local Auto Theft Enforcement Task Force, which is based in Peoria, consists of officers from area police agencies and the Illinois State Police. Like a handful of other similar task forces around the state, SLATE is funded by grants from the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council.

The grant money reimburses participating agencies for the salaries of officers assigned to the task forces. The council obtains funding for its grants from a $1 per vehicle per year fee that all auto insurance companies have been required to pay since the council was established by state statute in 1991.

Rauner froze that pool of money with an executive order issued Jan. 12 that prohibited disbursement of most grants until July 1 or until the grants can be reviewed by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.

"I understand why the governor is doing what he is doing, but this is a fund set up through insurance companies to fight auto vehicle theft around the state," said Bartonville Police Chief Brian Fengel, who is one of 11 members on the council. "It's insurance company money, not taxpayer money."

For SLATE, the executive order apparently amounts to a stop-work order. Officers assigned to the task force will continue operations until Friday, then return to their home agencies. …

 

Click on the following for more details: Rauner order means no money for auto theft task force - News - The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL

Funding shortfall for Social Security disability program: Is it real? - Yahoo News

 

• The programs. The Social Security system has two trust funds, one for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (essentially retirees) and one for Disability Insurance. The two funds (OASDI) have their own official balances and allocation of revenues from Social Security payroll taxes – and hence they have differing levels of solvency.

• The problem. The old-age trust fund is on track to be able to keep paying promised benefits in full through 2034, but the DI program can only do this through 2016, according to estimates from Social Security’s trustees.

• Going 'broke'? The 2016 date is where Senator Enzi and others draw references to DI “bankruptcy” or going “broke” by next year. It’s also what prompts the Obama administration to call for a fix. But the DI program would still have enough tax revenue that could keep funding about 81 percent of promised benefits. That’s not good for beneficiaries, but it’s not the same as going broke.

• Obama's proposal. Obama’s proposed fix is designed to balance things out so the two trust funds last for the same amount of time before running dry. It would put a higher share of payroll taxes toward the DI program, and a smaller share toward the old-age program. By Social Security’s estimates, that would mean neither trust fund would be depleted until 2033.

• Looking ahead. That 2033 date is the one many Democrats emphasize when they call the other side alarmists. Yet at best, that merely postpones one day of reckoning (the 2016 DI deadline) while bringing another one (for the old-age program) a year closer. And when you’re talking about all US retirees facing the prospect of getting only 75 percent of promised benefits, 2033 isn’t so far away.

These facts suggest that Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah had a valid point when he argued this week on the Senate floor that “having a joint trust fund exhaustion as a target doesn’t solve any fundamental financial problem facing ... Social Security.”

At the same time, Democrats have a point when they note that rebalancing the tax revenues between the two trust funds has been done by Congress many times in the past.

The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget notes that Congress has reallocated tax receipts between these two funds in the past, but generally accompanied by reforms to Social Security.

House Republicans are seeking to block any such reallocation, unless it’s accompanied by reforms to shore up Social Security so promised benefits can be paid beyond 2033.

The Social Security trustees said in their 2014 annual report that although Congress may consider another rebalancing, such a move "might serve to delay DI reforms and much needed financial corrections for OASDI as a whole."

Regardless of whether the tax flows are rebalanced, the two programs may call for differing reforms to bolster their solvency.

In the old-age program, possible fixes include asking high-earning Americans to shoulder bigger tax burdens, modestly raising the retirement age, and adjusting the inflation index used for benefits (so that annual cost-of-living increases aren’t so big).

On the disability side, changes might include expanding incentives for people to work rather than rely on DI benefits. “Increasing employment among individuals with disabilities could improve their economic well-being and increase their autonomy while also reducing the fiscal strains on Social Security,” Stanford University economist Mark Duggan argued at a Senate hearing this week.

The disability program has grown markedly in recent years. By 2012 it was accounting for 18 percent of all Social Security benefits, up from 10 percent in 1970, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Much of the expansion stemmed from demographics, as an aging population included more people developing disabilities in their later work years, a 2013 CBO analysis concluded. But it also found the growth in the program to be related to 1984 legislation that loosened the definition of conditions qualifying as disabilities, and in fluctuations in the economy – such as the long jobs drought following the 2008 financial crisis.

“The DI rolls have barely grown for the last two years,” notes Kathy Ruffing of the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

That slowdown coincides with an easing of demographic pressures on the program, as the baby boomers retire, as well as the improving economy.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Funding shortfall for Social Security disability program: Is it real? - Yahoo News