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Re: Re: Re:
It sounds like it, adnohr! I can't imagine having to go through that just to prove to someone that you're still alive! Mind-boggling . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 26, 2013 at 7:34 AM
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Re: Re:
LOL - no, he had phoned before driving there, and I guess the civil servant was thinking ID theft. He asked them why he had been paying taxes all these years, but he was paying in another province, so needed to bring copies of those forms with him. It was hilarious!!
posted by
adnohr
on September 25, 2013 at 1:47 PM
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Re:
Actually, adnohr, I can't! Of all the things to be "accused" of! I can see them tinkering with and confusing dates, and perhaps even names or genders! But to actually think that the person standing before you had been still born! Not even Rod Serling could come up with that one . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 25, 2013 at 7:23 AM
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It happens in Canada too. My brother, on moving back to this province, needed a copy of his birth certificate for his Medicare card. He was told that the government records indicated that he was stillborn. You can imagine the jokes that followed!!
posted by
adnohr
on September 25, 2013 at 2:59 AM
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Re:
It's here, C C T, it's here! I'm awake! I'm awake . . . I think! 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 23, 2013 at 7:11 AM
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Re: Re: Re:
That sounds shameful, Kabu. But hopefully, in the end, she got the help she needed, no matter how much "squeaking" it required . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 23, 2013 at 7:10 AM
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WHERE'S THE MONDAY MORNING WAKE UP CALL? Jimmy are you still asleep?
posted by
C_C_T
on September 22, 2013 at 11:16 PM
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Re: Re:
I had a girl friend who did just that. forget the details...her husband had walked out left her and the 2 girls and she had nothing to pay the Bills with. She was working but he left so much debt....she got some help this way.
posted by
Kabu
on September 22, 2013 at 1:37 PM
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Re:
All too true, lustor, all too true! Unfortunately, from everything I've read over the years concerning a good portion of the college graduates who are entering these various fields today, I think the problem is only going to get worse! The person who messed up this gentleman's paperwork in the first place was probably distracted by their smart phone at the time. Nobody seems to care anymore . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:40 AM
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Re:
I guess, Annicita, that it took a mild threat of "going public" with this nonsense to finally light a fire under these people. I guess the really sad part is the fact that stories like this don't surprise anyone anymore. Is this now the norm? Is this what we can now all expect from some of these government agencies when a situation like this arises. . . ? 
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:37 AM
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Re: Re:
Sometimes that's all it takes, C C T. A period here, a comma there, change this number to that number, and suddenly we have a mess! But it still should not have taken as long as it did to correct, nor should the agency have initially told this individual to change his birth date to match theirs! Beyond insulting . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:34 AM
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Re:
It does seem that way, doesn't it, Against? I guess it's not unlike a small child playing a game that they made up themselves, changing the rules as they go along to fit their own whim! And we're the adults who see the ridiculous flaws and obvious mistakes, but are basically powerless to do anything! Once that kid gets something in their mind . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:32 AM
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Re: JimmyA
It may have been at one time, Sir Wiley, but probably no longer! Now, Social Security is just another bureaucratic beast, wrapped in red tape, feeding off the flesh of the masses, a dim bulb giving off very little light and absolutely no warmth! Ooh, tough description there, huh?
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:29 AM
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Re:
Somehow, TAPS, I think the odds are against it! Besides, the real angst shouldn't necessarily be against the person who jotted down a 20 instead of a 2. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt that it could have been an honest mistake. But to tell the person to change their date of birth on their end to match the SS records is unbelievably insulting, to say the least! That's the individual who should fry . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:21 AM
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Re: Jimmy
That sounds like the next logical step, Naut. But something tells me Mr. Covill will be more than happy just to get his original birth date back on the records, get his prescription card up-dated, and simply move on. Remember, this is only one incident that we know of! Who knows how many others may have been affected similarly by missing, altered or transposed dates on other forms! Makes ya wonder sometimes . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:18 AM
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Re:
Somehow, Utah, it seems like it's all wrong! As we all know by now, the more our government gets involved with these things ( although everyone over the years has been campaigning against more government ) the more things seem to get screwed up! I can't wait to see what's left once the "smoke" clears . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:14 AM
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Re:
Good thought, FSI. Probably a lot more than we would care to know! What I'm still trying to figure out is how mistakingly putting 20 instead of 2 on his forms changed things so drastically! If it had been his birth year, that's one thing. But the date? How could it have made that much of a difference . . . ?
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:12 AM
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Re:
It was indeed, Kabu. And your "sleeping bag and coffee" exploit might actually have brought even more attention to the situation, and may have actually even embarrassed those involved. Sometimes you have to "squeak that wheel" to get some grease . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:09 AM
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Re:
I guess there are times, MsJudy, when people do have to make such threats, especially when they get such a ridiculous run-around like this gentleman got! Unfortunately, sometimes even that doesn't resolve the problem. At least, not right away . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:07 AM
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Re:
Not a very good endorsement, swordfingers. I can only hope that, not only are mistakes like this few and far between, but that the matter is rectified fairly quickly! Aah, who am I kidding . . . ?
posted by
JimmyA
on September 22, 2013 at 9:05 AM
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any of the government ran programs are a laugh as no one knows what they are doing and I am sure that is one reason we are so messed up
posted by
Lanetay
on September 22, 2013 at 8:15 AM
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having dealt with gov't agencies before it sadly doesn't suprise me...glad though that they finally fixed their error instead of continuing to insist they use theirs!
posted by
Annicita
on September 22, 2013 at 7:16 AM
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Re:
Some mad little crat of some kind thinking what does it matter, we are making him younger. Try putting it through a computer and get one dot wrong. 
posted by
C_C_T
on September 22, 2013 at 12:14 AM
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It just goes to show that the government is in or makes its own reality: whatever they say is, is.
posted by
Against4WindsOn2Flam
on September 21, 2013 at 2:37 PM
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JimmyA
I thought Social Security was about protection for the citizens by the government Jimmy A
posted by
WileyJohn
on September 21, 2013 at 2:28 PM
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My Sis works for Social Security. I hope it was not her mistake.
posted by
TAPS.
on September 20, 2013 at 8:40 PM
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Jimmy
OUT-BlOODY-RAGEOUS!!! I hope he and his lawyer are going to raise hell! 
posted by
Nautikos
on September 20, 2013 at 8:23 PM
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This is sad, with me it would take almost half of my income to buy insurance, what should I forfeit, food, meds, utilities. And for not having insurance the new health care plan will fine us and raise our taxes...This is wrong damn it.
posted by
UtahJay
on September 20, 2013 at 6:43 PM
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That is terrible that happened to him. As someone who does not have much faith in the government, I am not surprised this happened. What I wonder is how many other birthdays the bureacracy has incorrect.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on September 20, 2013 at 5:58 PM
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I think that I would have got my sleeping bag and laif it out in a corner with a thermos of coffee and sandwiches...refused to leave without the courtesy and help that was deserved. Disgusting beaurocrati behaviour.
posted by
Kabu
on September 20, 2013 at 2:21 PM
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I would have demanded to talk to the highest person in that social security office! And if that didn't work I would have threatened to report it to the state attorney generals office. Not even the social security office thats that to happen! 
posted by
MsJudy
on September 20, 2013 at 12:11 PM
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i worked civil service for four years... unfortunately, it can be like that... 
posted by
Carolyn_Moe
on September 20, 2013 at 11:26 AM
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