Children’s Identity Theft On The Rise

Larry Smith September 6, 2011 0

Why are children’s identity being stolen?

First, identity from
children is easier to abuse than adults. There are no guardrails or
routine checkups for children’s credit. Thieves can build entire
credit histories that go undetected for years. 

Second, a child’s credit report is like a blank slate. There is
no good or bad credit attached to a child’s credit report.

Third, it is easier to
sponge off of a child’s credit
report than an adult. Since there is nothing to match a new
credit profile against, it is easier for thieves to take a child’s
social security number and mix it with another name and birthdate.
If you use an adult’s social security number to open a line of
credit, the identifiable information must match entries in the
adult’s social security information which is more difficult.

Who are the offenders in
this identity theft? There are organized rings, illegal immigrants,
and in lower-income households, other family member

One major problem with
children’s credit report is that there is nothing to match a new
credit profile against. This makes children’s identity susceptible
to fraud. The Social Security Administration does not have a role
in resolving identity
theft. They will correct discrepancies. The Social Security
Number was originally designed to track income and provide a record
for benefits. Now the role has expanded and has become the basis
for basis of applying for jobs, credit cards, loans, and
schools.

To learn more, read 
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/childrens-social-security-numbers-easy-hit-2011-08-26 

 

Larry Smith
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