Child Identity Theft October 2008 by Javelin Strategy and Research
This is the first quantitative study on child identity theft. Rarely do parents or guardians consider the possibility that their child may have a credit history, and thus few will check to see whether their child has a credit report under their name. This can make children easy targets for identity thieves, and the fraudulent use of a child’s information can wreak havoc on his or her financial future, potentially leading to the denial of credit, student loans, housing or employment at a time when that child may need it the most.
To view the complete Child Identity Theft Study, click here
Archives:
The study identified and measured the following items:
- 5% of the children had one or more credit reports using their Social Security number (SSN)
- 54% of those children were victims of identity theft
- 12% of the victims were age 5 and under
- The victims averaged $12,779 in fraudulent or wrongly assigned debt
- One child had seven different identities using his SSN
- Another child’s identity was associated with over $325,000 in debt
See The Network
Protect Your Child
Compare Now
