Identity Theft in Children

This gives new meaning to the term, deadbeat dads. The Wall Street Journal this week reported on the rising numbers of childhood identity theft victims. This crime often goes unnoticed until a child reaches their 18th birthday and applies for a license, job or mortgage. Here are a couple of interesting facts

*5-10% of identity-theft cases involve minors.
*In 69% of childhood identity theft cases the thief is one or both parents.

It appears that some people create a new identity when they’ve ruined their own credit and turn to their kids for a new start. Very nice.

How can you prevent this? Keep your kid’s SS# under wraps, check their credit report on a regular basis and keep your eye on Uncle Earnie.

Check out the Identity Theft Resource Center. They’ve even got a teen space laced with hip teen/tween colloquialisms.