Protecting Your Child’s Identity and Social Security Number from Theft

Facts to Know about Child Identity Theft

Babies can be victims of identity theft, a fact that parents do not realize. It is even more likely to happen than identity theft in adults. A recent report of Carnegie Mellon Cylab says that social security numbers that have never been used are highly valuable because thieves can use them with any date of birth and name.

The numbers that have been stolen are then utilized for purposes of illegal immigration and organized crime. The report further adds that the SS numbers of minors are so useful because there is no organized process at the moment that can check the name and date of birth of the original owner of the number. This means that for as long as the number has a clear history, any thief can attach a name and birth date to it. Once there is a violation, it can go unnoticed. Even credit reporting bureaus cannot detect it. For parents to be on guard about the possibility of their child’s Social Security number being stolen here are some important facts to know.

 

 

1.) Children and adults are equally at risk of identity theft.

2.) As a parent, you should check your child’s Social Security number as early and as often as you can. Take note that the longer the theft uses your child’s number, the more complex the case becomes and the more difficult it is to resolve. If you wait for your child to get older before checking her number and you find out that your child is a victim of identity theft, your child may have a difficult time getting a job, renting an apartment or even obtaining a mobile phone plan.

3.) A child’s credit record is not cleaned up by the time they turn 18. This means that if a child grows up and is ready to use his Social Security to apply for accounts and for a credit check, he will still be held accountable for any debt and account linked to his number whether he incurred the account or not.

4.) Pre-approved offers for your child in the mail are possible signs of identity theft. Once you receive this, immediately investigate and do not disregard the situation.

5.) Family and friends as well as criminals are the most common perpetrators of identity theft. They use this for themselves or sell the numbers to the black market.

Related posts on loans for people with bad credit:

1. How to Avoid Child Identity Theft How to Avoid Child Identity Theft Except when their Social Security number is used by somebody to falsely open an account or get a loan, the majority of children below 18 will not have a credit history. With the help of Equifax,…...
2. Children Can be Victims Identity Theft Children Can be Victims Identity Theft In terms of bad credit, Riley had utility bills not yet paid and overdue payments on her department store credit card. However, the more serious problem is that Riley was only eight years old and…...
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4. Children are the Targets of Identity Thieves Children are the Targets of Identity Thieves An adult is very much aware of the importance of good credit rating. Credit rating determines the rate of interest of a new loan. It can even determine your chances of getting a job…...
5. Identity Theft And What You Can Do About It The statistics of identity theft have become so high that the majority either know somebody who has had his identity stolen or have experienced it themselves. It is a appalling thing to go through and a gigantic mess to try to get cleaned up. It can mean hours of work,...

Tagged with: Child • credit history • credit score • IdentityTheft • Social Security number • theft • United States

Filed under: News

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