chaela143

I have been in the U.S. almost all of my life. My parents applied for a social security number for me when I was 10 years old, and the card reads "Not Valid For Employment". I'm 24 now, I have worked illegally and have used that social security number for tax forms twice...
When I was 18, I was a victim of identity fraud/theft. (not sure which term to use!) My older brother used my social security number and took out a loan with Wachovia and got 2 credit cards in my name. I'm not really sure how without my ID and other identification but I'm guessing he applied for them online and got approved. I'm thinking that it wasn't too hard for him to pull it off because my name is Michaela and his is Michael. (and to make it worst, his middle initial starts with an 'A')
We don't really have a good relationship at all... but I know it was him because when I checked my credit online, when I check the previous addresses on there, it shows his old address as one of them. I've never lived with him, and never have even been to that address in my life, or city, but my mom did confirm that used to be his address. The only problem is, his name was never on the lease there and was just living with a group of guys (none of which I know) so I never filed a police report or anything because I figured I would have to somehow prove he did it, and I had no proof other than that. I tried to confront him about it by email years back but never got a response, ofcourse.
But....my credit is ALL messed up because of it. I tried to contact the collectors and tell them my situation and none of them seemed to care what so ever and all they cared about was collecting the money trying to settle with me, but I don't want to pay something that I don't owe... especially thousands of dollars worth of debt! I can't even find him now, I've searched for him on facebook, none of my family members know where he is or how to contact him, so I'm sh*t out of luck on suing him in small claims court or anything like that. His ex wife doesn't even know where he is and says he owes thousands in child support. The only thing I could think about doing was maybe filing for bankruptcy but I don't want to have a bankruptcy under my belt, especially being this young!
Anyways, I'm waiting for my EAD to come in the mail now. I'm married and took my husband's last name so my passport now reflects that name.. I get all of my immigration letters w/ my married last name and requested that everything including my EAD, green card, etc. be issued in my married name....
Could I just go to SSA and apply for a new social security number? I was thinking about just applying and not even putting that I ever had any previous social security numbers on there but I'm not sure if that would work. Also, my attorney didn't include my social security number on any of the immigration forms because he knows my situation and knows that Michael had been using the #. Those debts in my name are really holding me back from doing anything.. I have nothing in my name because of this mess.
Does anyone know what I can do in this situation? I just really don't want to have to explain this to SSA and have to go through a bunch of stuff to clear my credit and delay having a social security card issued to me. I have also heard from some people that it takes years for people who are victims of identity fraud to
clear their credit...
Feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!!!!!