CHILDREN’S IDENTITY AT RISK

Children are at risk of identity theft.  Parents should be careful when they share their children’s Social Security numbers.

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ID thieves are searching for random Social Security numbers. Once they find them, they cross-check these numbers against other databases to see if the numbers have been used to obtain credit.

If they haven’t, identity thieves sell the unblemished Social Security numbers for a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Many times these inactive numbers are tied to children or long-time prison inmates.

Since children won’t be applying for credit to buy a car or receive a credit card for years to come, those who purchase these numbers can use them to obtain phony lines of credit and rack up debt, sometimes for years.

Dallas Morning News reporter, Pamela Yip, has written about children’s risk of identity theft.  In her most recent article on identity theft, she warns parents on how they may guard against identity theft.  For example, parents should only disclose their children’s Social Security numbers when absolutely necessary.  FULL STORY  See also CNBC’s article on identity theft and children HERE.

Javelin Strategy, a research group that studies identity theft, estimates that 5 percent of consumers who are a victim a data breach indicated that their children’s information was used fraudulently.

If you or your child have been a victim of identity theft, then you need to contact Alabama identity theft lawyer Micah Adkins for a free legal consultation.