Garage Logic: Weekly Scramble (Nov 28, 2025) Episode: SCRAMBLE: The IRS goes after a MN man who had his identity stolen for working another job in another state?!?! Hosts: Chris Reivers & Mike Fratelloni

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of the Weekly Scramble, Chris Reivers and Mike Fratelloni dive into a troubling story from the New York Times about a Minnesota man who suffered IRS penalties and years of stress after his identity was stolen and used to work jobs in other states. The hosts discuss the frustrating reality of identity theft, government inefficiency, and broader issues of fraud and social programs. Along the way, they share personal anecdotes, challenge media framing, and tangentially riff on society's changing attitudes toward government support, all with their trademark blend of incredulity and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Thanksgiving Prep and Anecdotes

• The episode kicks off with light conversation about pre-Thanksgiving errands, grocery shopping hacks, and the We Are Nuts snack company. (01:46–05:14)

Main Story: Minnesota Man’s IRS Nightmare

• Summary: Daniel Kluver, a Minnesota man, had his identity stolen and used by an illegal immigrant to earn income in Missouri.

  • The IRS pursued Kluver for unpaid taxes on income he never earned, eventually piling up to $21,000 in back taxes and penalties. (05:42)
  • Kluver had to continually prove his innocence — dealing with payment plans, bureaucracy, and the emotional toll of being treated as a criminal by federal authorities.
  • Only after years was he vindicated, and payments refunded.
  • The New York Times article on this case emphasized that “both men paid a price,” equating Kluver’s ordeal to that of the undocumented worker who used his identity.
  • Hosts’ reaction: Both Reivers and Fratelloni reject this equivalency, expressing outrage over the framing and the systemic weakness that leaves victims unprotected and wronged by the system they pay into. (06:44–08:12)
  • Quote: “No, they did not [pay an equal price]. Someone had their identity stolen. They’re forced to pay...at one point in time, he was $21,000 behind in IRS taxes. You can go to jail for not paying taxes!” — Mike Fratelloni (07:24)

• Identity theft on this scale is far from rare: over 1 million Americans annually experience similar fraud, with the IRS holding them responsible until proven otherwise. (08:10)

  • Quote: "More than one million people [a year]... Are you freaking kidding me?" — Chris Reivers (08:12)

Personal Anecdotes on Identity Theft

• Chris shares his own brush with credit card fraud after a suspicious hair salon visit, highlighting the hassle and emotional impact of resolving even “small” cases. (09:20–10:30)
• Mike relates a (humorous) story involving fraudulent hotel charges and the awkwardness that can accompany these types of identity mix-ups. (11:15–11:56)
  • The conversation tangents humorously into the world of adult bookstores and outdated attitudes about privacy and embarrassment. (12:06–15:06)

Media Critique and Victim Framing

• The hosts roundly criticize the New York Times and a broader “movement” that seems to sympathize with rule breakers over their victims, tying it into recent news about judges and leniency on fraud and theft.
  • “Shame on you, New York Times, for conflating and putting together this guy that got his identity stolen and this Prez Bravo, who did the stealing of the identity." — Mike Fratelloni (15:06)
  • They express concern about a social attitude in Minnesota (and elsewhere) that’s "ripe for the picking," making it easy for fraudsters to thrive due to leniency or misplaced sympathy. (16:17)

The Bigger Picture: Systemic Fraud and Social Programs

• Discussion shifts to the scale and attitudes around government benefit programs, sparked by public figures promising ever-expanding free services in major cities. (19:50–20:57)
  • Chris references Minnesota’s massive property tax increases and the domino effect on suburban communities as city policies prompt migration — only for those policies to spread with the new residents. (21:19–22:02)
• The duo reflect on the shift from shame about relying on government assistance to its normalization.
  • “There was a time where people were embarrassed to say that their survival was based on government largesse.” — Mike Fratelloni (22:13)

Welfare Usage and Abuse

• The accessibility of government aid programs like SNAP (food stamps) is discussed — how stigma has faded and, in some cases, led to questionable use.
  • Chris tells a story about seeing someone pay with both EBT and an American Express black card, then load their groceries into a Lexus. (24:42–25:13)
  • Quote: “I think we got a problem with the old program that we’ve established... the problem that I continue to have is too many people are scamming us.” — Chris Reivers (25:36–28:01)
  • Both clarify that they support aid for those truly in need, but argue the system is widely abused.

Economic Responsibility and Hard Choices Ahead

• America’s generosity and mounting debt ($37 trillion) are cited. At some point, the hosts argue, reform will be needed to ensure help only goes to the truly needy. (28:01–28:09)
  • “At some point in time, we are gonna have to make these tough choices to give the most needy more, maybe. And those that aren’t needy nothing.” — Mike Fratelloni (28:09)

Memorable End Moment

• Classic GL Humor: The episode ends with a playful factoid about alligators living 100 years, setting up a corny dad joke that Chris gamely plays along with. (28:29–28:36)
  • “So the likelihood is pretty high that he will see you later.” — Mike Fratelloni
• Shoutouts to local brands and light-hearted wishes for Thanksgiving round out the episode.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "No, they did not [pay an equal price]. Someone had their identity stolen. They're forced to pay... you can go to jail for not paying taxes!" — Mike Fratelloni (07:24)
• "More than one million people... Are you freaking kidding me?" — Chris Reivers (08:12)
• "If you can call up, you can say, 'Hey, if you're gonna make me pay the taxes on this, withhold as much taxes as you possibly can.'" — Mike Fratelloni (08:42)
• "Shame on you, New York Times, for conflating and putting together this guy that got his identity stolen and this Prez Bravo, who did the stealing of the identity." — Mike Fratelloni (15:06)
• "There was a time where people were embarrassed to say that their survival was based on government largesse." — Mike Fratelloni (22:13)
• "I think we got a problem with the old program that we've established... the problem that I continue to have is too many people are scamming us." — Chris Reivers (25:36–28:01)
• "At some point in time, we are gonna have to make these tough choices to give the most needy more, maybe. And those that aren't needy nothing." — Mike Fratelloni (28:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thanksgiving Small Talk & Errands: 01:46–05:14
• IRS & Identity Theft Story Introduction: 05:14–07:58
• Systemic Identity Theft & IRS Issues: 07:58–09:14
• Personal Identity Theft Anecdotes: 09:14–12:06
• Tangent on Adult Stores (Comic Relief): 12:06–15:06
• Media Critique—NYT Framing: 15:06–16:53
• Minnesota’s Attitude on Law & Fraud: 16:53–19:50
• Social Programs and Attitudes: 19:50–24:42
• Food Security Anecdote (EBT & Amex): 24:42–25:13
• Debate: Program Abuse vs. Need: 25:13–28:09
• Dad Joke & Episode Wrap: 28:09–29:55

Tone & Style

The hosts blend serious social commentary with sarcastic banter and personal stories, using humor and frankness to make their points. Their outrage and disbelief feel genuine, and they punctuate critiques with lighthearted asides and inside jokes — maintaining an atmosphere of conversational, down-to-earth skepticism characteristic of Garage Logic.

Summary by a dedicated listener, for anyone who couldn’t tune in!