Nineteen-year-old Melissa Goza couldn't figure out why she failed to get a bank card time and time again. It only became clear when she was unsuccessful while looking for a new job in a Target store: Three different people are using her Social Security number(社会保障号).

     Target is one of the companies using credit(信用）reports when hiring new workers. At least one credit report didn't favor Goza in getting the job. A very low credit rate(评价）was under Goza's Social Security number. Target, as required by law, told Goza why the company couldn't offer her the job.

     Sacramento lawyer Jennifer Shaw, a specialist in workplace law, says credit reports are just one more way employers use to find dishonest job seekers. "I think we need to know that, right now, there's more information out there. And that means, there's more information that can be used against us," said Shaw

     Goza's dark cloud may, however, have a silver lining. Target told her she'd be considered again for the job if she could get a letter from the Social Security Department proving the she's the right owner of the Social Security number.

     Now that Goza knows she's suffered from other people's wrongdoings, she will order copies of her credit reports to see what she can do to put things right.