Infant Identity Theft?
When you see reports claiming “everyone” is at risk for identity theft, do you truly believe it? Believe it or not, the claim seems to be holding true these days as literally everyone is a potential victim for identity thieves, from the recently deceased to the new born. In fact, research shows that some identity thieves are actually targeting infants more than older people for their crime. Reports of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission showed that over 5% were from people under the age of 18 in 2005, a percent that’s on the rise. Why exactly would anyone want a child’s identity? Several reasons actually, one being that the criminal gets a completely clean slate under the child’s name. The other reason identity thieves target children is that the crime will likely go undetected for many years, as most people won’t have their credit checked until they’re at least 16. That makes these identities a hot commodity for illegal immigrants or criminals looking to restart their lives. However, there are those that feel infant identity theft doesn’t warrant the attention it’s getting.
Is it Being Taken Seriously?
Although it’s being taken as a very serious issue, some at the Federal Trade Commission believe infant identity theft is only occurring at a very small rate. Members of the Social Security Administration also state the crime is not occurring at a significant rate. Talk to other officials and you may get a completely different answer. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse believes we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg, as many new infant identity theft cases are bound to pop up when today’s generation of infants start getting their credit checked. TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus, has already established reporting mechanisms for the growing problem. Even Senator Hillary Clinton went as far as to say, “Identity theft and the theft of our personal information is out of control. No one is safe, not even kids and young adults…” Obviously, child identity theft is a very real problem that needs a solution.
How is it being Fought?
At the federal level, the FTC has already begun informing young people and parents about the risks of identity theft through an educational campaign. The FTC is also educating teachers and other community leaders about identity theft prevention and recovery so that they can pass it on to young people. Perhaps the most expansive endeavor is at the Identity Theft Resource Center, where they are attempting to create a gigantic list of children’s birth records and social security numbers. The proposal requires that credit inquires for children on the list are investigated and that their names are removed once they reach adulthood.
