Social security number and passport
Aug 29th, 2006, 10:43 AM
#1
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Social security number and passport
We discovered yesterday (while at Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles) that the social security number we have been using for our daughter for 16 years is wrong - off by one digit. We have used the wrong number on our tax returns and for 2 passport applications - not renewal as kids can not get renewals by mail.
This is distressing to me. We discovered error when RMV told us her name, DOB and SS number did not match up. We then went to Social Security and were told we had been using wrong number.
How could she have been issued passport on 2 occasions (one prior to, one after 9/11) with the wrong Social Security number - which I know does not appear on the passport, but is required for application to be completed.
Fortunately she has never had a job from which they deducted FICA/Medicare or the mess we now need to fix would be even worse.
Still curious how this could have happened.
This is distressing to me. We discovered error when RMV told us her name, DOB and SS number did not match up. We then went to Social Security and were told we had been using wrong number.
How could she have been issued passport on 2 occasions (one prior to, one after 9/11) with the wrong Social Security number - which I know does not appear on the passport, but is required for application to be completed.
Fortunately she has never had a job from which they deducted FICA/Medicare or the mess we now need to fix would be even worse.
Still curious how this could have happened.
Aug 29th, 2006, 11:23 AM
#3
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I had a job interviewer call me back telling me that my SSN came up with another name. I immediately called up the Social Security Administration who told me that no one else has that number.
Possibly cost me a job.
Several years afterwards I was having problems getting my health benefits due to some mysterious SSN duplication in their systems.
Now I watch it like a hawk to see if anything else comes up.
Possibly cost me a job.
Several years afterwards I was having problems getting my health benefits due to some mysterious SSN duplication in their systems.
Now I watch it like a hawk to see if anything else comes up.
Aug 29th, 2006, 12:06 PM
#4
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Interesting info - turns out the RMV had 2 different social security numbers listed for our adult son - his, and the incorrect one for our daughter - and we have no idea how this could have happened.
RMV clerk blamed the whole thing on the Patriot Act.
RMV clerk blamed the whole thing on the Patriot Act.
Aug 29th, 2006, 12:15 PM
#5
One of my roommates in college was told by the school that she was being investigated for scholarship fraud. They said she was getting scholarships at OSU and U of O at the same time.
It turned out there were two people with the same name and SSN. She was named Debbie (with a common surname, like Johnson or Smith) and got her SSN at age 16 in Portland.
Apparently another Debbie with the same surname name applied at the same time, and the clerk thought it was a duplicate request.
By the time this was discovered, both had been working at several jobs, so it was a mess to straighten out the tax issues.
It turned out there were two people with the same name and SSN. She was named Debbie (with a common surname, like Johnson or Smith) and got her SSN at age 16 in Portland.
Apparently another Debbie with the same surname name applied at the same time, and the clerk thought it was a duplicate request.
By the time this was discovered, both had been working at several jobs, so it was a mess to straighten out the tax issues.
Aug 29th, 2006, 12:54 PM
#6
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The person at the RMV was partially right, but it’s not the Patriot Act. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Protection Act of 2004 (PL 108-458) requires states cross-check a number of databases to issue driver’s licenses and provide other services. I know I'll get trashed for saying this but, neither the Patriot Act nor IRTPA entered the info on the passport application, tax returns or other forms.
I’ve dealt with this problem frequently in my work and know that sometimes the computer hiccups and there just isn’t a good explanation why information on a record is incorrect without delving into the programming language and all that. Sometimes, it’s caused by a bank teller, benefits manager, CPA, etc. who miscopies the info when it’s entered on a form or computer. But most often, problems like this are caused by the number holder himself/herself who:
-doesn’t write legibly.
-recites his/her number from memory instead of copying it from the card.
-decides to use a nickname or variant like “Kris” instead of “Chris” or “Jim” instead of “Diego” or doesn’t report changes like a marriage or divorce.
Until recently, many companies and organizations requested your number but had no way to verify it. Now that they can under the provisions in IRTPA, errors made in the past are coming to light. But the reply the org receives doesn't change the info in their records. If they send a request consisting of NAME, DOB and SSN, they just get a match or No-match reply.
I’ve dealt with this problem frequently in my work and know that sometimes the computer hiccups and there just isn’t a good explanation why information on a record is incorrect without delving into the programming language and all that. Sometimes, it’s caused by a bank teller, benefits manager, CPA, etc. who miscopies the info when it’s entered on a form or computer. But most often, problems like this are caused by the number holder himself/herself who:
-doesn’t write legibly.
-recites his/her number from memory instead of copying it from the card.
-decides to use a nickname or variant like “Kris” instead of “Chris” or “Jim” instead of “Diego” or doesn’t report changes like a marriage or divorce.
Until recently, many companies and organizations requested your number but had no way to verify it. Now that they can under the provisions in IRTPA, errors made in the past are coming to light. But the reply the org receives doesn't change the info in their records. If they send a request consisting of NAME, DOB and SSN, they just get a match or No-match reply.
Aug 29th, 2006, 01:36 PM
#7
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citylghts - that gives some explanation to a lot of the confusion I have. I am still not sure I understand the passport thing, though. Wouldn't the Dept of State have verified match of name, DOB, SS number prior to issuing passport?
The handwriting legibility thing is probably how we got into this mess in the first place, since the problem was we had a "6" where there should have been a "1" - someone just mis-wrote the loop I suspect - and then we just passed along the error for years. I know I never had an actual social security card for her - have no idea why, but have filed paperwork to get her an actual card.
The handwriting legibility thing is probably how we got into this mess in the first place, since the problem was we had a "6" where there should have been a "1" - someone just mis-wrote the loop I suspect - and then we just passed along the error for years. I know I never had an actual social security card for her - have no idea why, but have filed paperwork to get her an actual card.
Aug 29th, 2006, 04:23 PM
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I think this is the same type of problem you have with the crdit reporting agencies. A lot of data input people with little interest working off documents that may be handwritten - or multiple duplicates that are unclear.
When my brother went to remortgage his house he found out there was a lien against it for a car that was bought 6 years BEFORE HE WAS BORN. It took them 5 months to straightenn it out.
(The car had been bought - and paid for - by my father - same first and last name but different middle initials - but that part was ignored. And the original loan holder merged with another bank - that showed the loan closed. But because the original bank - no longer in business - showed the loan still open the agency unilaterally decided it was in default - 30 years later.)
My brother had to have an attorney threaten to sue the agency before they would correct it.
When my brother went to remortgage his house he found out there was a lien against it for a car that was bought 6 years BEFORE HE WAS BORN. It took them 5 months to straightenn it out.
(The car had been bought - and paid for - by my father - same first and last name but different middle initials - but that part was ignored. And the original loan holder merged with another bank - that showed the loan closed. But because the original bank - no longer in business - showed the loan still open the agency unilaterally decided it was in default - 30 years later.)
My brother had to have an attorney threaten to sue the agency before they would correct it.
Aug 29th, 2006, 04:35 PM
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Gail, not necessarily. Those types of cross-checks weren't required before this year.
If you applied for a passport or driver's license under the name of Fred Flintstone and everything on your ID and birth certificate agreed with what your application said, no one ever checked to make sure the birth cert was genuine or when your other ID was issued.
Now, we're required to contact the other agencies to make sure the documents are authentic, haven't been altered and that you aren't a name that was created yesterday.
If you applied for a passport or driver's license under the name of Fred Flintstone and everything on your ID and birth certificate agreed with what your application said, no one ever checked to make sure the birth cert was genuine or when your other ID was issued.
Now, we're required to contact the other agencies to make sure the documents are authentic, haven't been altered and that you aren't a name that was created yesterday.
Aug 29th, 2006, 06:28 PM
#10
The SSN isn't really important for a passport, is it? For a pp you need to prove citizenship and identity. An SSN does neither. Doesn't sound like State really cares if your SSN is on the application but the IRS does:
"If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office."
"If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office."
Aug 30th, 2006, 05:52 AM
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Several years ago I received that warning and threats against our tax returns.
It seems that I had never had my name changed at the SS office when I got married. My fault yes, but we were married in 1981 and paid taxed every year.
So they noticed it almost 20 years later!!!
It seems that I had never had my name changed at the SS office when I got married. My fault yes, but we were married in 1981 and paid taxed every year.
So they noticed it almost 20 years later!!!
Jul 4th, 2016, 09:42 AM
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Hi Gail. I know its been awhile since you wrote this post, but I'm going through something similar and I'm lost. I'm 22 years old and the only photo ID I have is an expired passport.
I lost my social security card, but I memorized the number. I tried to get a state ID so I can use that to renew my passport, but the DMV said my SSN didn't match. My mom looked through her old tax and files and she said she used the same incorrect SSN for everything including my 3 of my expired passports. Im just wondering if you figured out how you were able to get your daughters passport with the wrong SSN?
My mom sent me my birth certificate and everything else that proves my identity and citizenship so that I can go the Passport Acceptance Facility with my brother to verify who I am and try to renew my passport with my same incorrect SSN. I can't get a ID without SSN and I can't get a SSN without an ID. Thanks it'll be much appreciated if you'd get back to me.
I lost my social security card, but I memorized the number. I tried to get a state ID so I can use that to renew my passport, but the DMV said my SSN didn't match. My mom looked through her old tax and files and she said she used the same incorrect SSN for everything including my 3 of my expired passports. Im just wondering if you figured out how you were able to get your daughters passport with the wrong SSN?
My mom sent me my birth certificate and everything else that proves my identity and citizenship so that I can go the Passport Acceptance Facility with my brother to verify who I am and try to renew my passport with my same incorrect SSN. I can't get a ID without SSN and I can't get a SSN without an ID. Thanks it'll be much appreciated if you'd get back to me.
Jul 4th, 2016, 02:54 PM
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I went there to try to get my SSN and they told me to call the IRS because I don't have a valid photo ID. I'm just hoping I get to renew my passport with the only SSN I know and use my passport to get my actual SSN. And thanks, I need all the luck I can get!
Jul 5th, 2016, 02:45 AM
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We got this resolved by going in person to Social Security office. Since our daughter was only 16, she had no ID other than school ID and birth certificate. (She was trying to get driver's license, so no RMV ID - that was the whole point in this adventure).
Social Security gave her a new temporary card, mailed her a permanent one. The next year on our taxes we just used the new number - but she was not filing her own taxes at that point and was just listed as a dependent on ours.
I still think you have to start with Social Security - since they are the ones that issue the numbers - and get a card with your correct number. Leave the IRS out of this for now - they have nothing to do with RMV or Passport and are not supposed to release any tax info to them.
Once resolved, send some sort of info to IRS indicating you have been using the wrong number and ask them what to do.
Social Security gave her a new temporary card, mailed her a permanent one. The next year on our taxes we just used the new number - but she was not filing her own taxes at that point and was just listed as a dependent on ours.
I still think you have to start with Social Security - since they are the ones that issue the numbers - and get a card with your correct number. Leave the IRS out of this for now - they have nothing to do with RMV or Passport and are not supposed to release any tax info to them.
Once resolved, send some sort of info to IRS indicating you have been using the wrong number and ask them what to do.
