How many kids get their identity stolen each year?

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 1.3 million children's records are stolen every year. Foster children have an even greater risk as a percentage of all children. Self-reported data to the FTC indicates that over 22,833 identity theft victims were under the age of 19 in 2021.

How common is child identity theft?

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. But criminals don't only target adults with credit cards, solid credit scores, or savings accounts. According to Javelin Strategy's 2021 Child Identity Fraud study, one in 50 children were the victims of identity theft last year.

Can children get their identities stolen?

ID Theft Resources

The FTC reported fewer than 14,000 cases of identity theft in 2017 involving people 19 and under. So while the numbers aren't huge, child identity theft does happen, and it can present serious issues for victims and their parents.

How many people a year get their identity stolen?

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 5.88 million fraud reports in 2021, a 19% increase from the year prior.

What percentage of minors have had their identity stolen?

1 in 50 children is affected by child identity fraud, which costs U.S. families nearly $1 billion each year. Millennials account for 44% of U.S. identity fraud reports. There's a new victim of identity theft every 2 seconds. 118.6 million individuals had their records exposed in data breaches during the first half of ...

Identity Thefts Targeted at Kids

What age is identity theft most common?

In 2021, the most targeted age group for identity theft were 30 to 39 year olds, among whom 308,910 cases were reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States. The second most targeted age group were those aged 40 to 49, with 266,269 cases of identity theft reported.

Who is at highest risk for identity theft?

Do you know the biggest targets of identity theft? The answer may surprise you – while everyone should be aware of identity theft, children and the elderly are at an especially high risk of becoming victims.

Is identity theft the fastest growing crime?

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country. It occurs when someone obtains credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, bank account information or other personal identification information and uses them to commit fraud or deception.

Why is identity theft so common now?

Why is identity theft so common? Identity theft is so common because it is relatively easy to do and it can be profitable for the thieves. They can use your stolen information to open new accounts in your name, run up charges on your existing accounts or even apply for loans in your name.

What are the top 7 identity theft categories?

How can I prevent my child from being stolen?

What is an example of child identity theft?

Child identity theft happens when someone fraudulently uses the identity of a minor for financial or personal gain. For example, scammers could use your child's Social Security number (SSN) and name to apply for credit cards, take out loans, receive government benefits, or commit tax fraud — all in your child's name.

Is identity theft taken seriously?

Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.

How many minors under 18 have had their identity stolen?

Now identity theft affects 1.25 million kids — or about 1 out of 50 children — every year, according to the research firm Javelin.

What are the 3 most common causes of identity theft?

Which country has the most cases of identity theft?

United States. Due to its large population, the large number of companies and its adoption of technology, the United States easily surpasses all other countries in terms of the amount of identities stolen.

What is the fastest growing type of identity theft?

Synthetic identity theft — where criminals combine your Social Security number (SSN) with other names and identities — is the fastest growing type of identity theft in America [*].

How are most identities stolen?

There are a number of ways identity thieves may obtain your personal information. Fraudsters may dig through mail or trash in search of credit card or bank statements. Unsecured web sites or public Wi-Fi may allow identity thieves to access your information electronically.

What is the lowest form of theft?

The minimum type of theft charge is called, “Petty Larceny,” which means stealing something up to the value of $1,000. This frequently happens when people go places like departmental stores and take clothing, jewelry, or things of that nature.

What is the highest form of theft?

(Depending on the jurisdiction, the crime might be called "first degree" theft.) Laws in many states consider a theft to be grand theft when: The property taken is worth more than a minimum amount, perhaps $500-$1,000 or more. Property is taken directly from a person, but by means other than force or fear.

When did identity theft start?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person's personal identifying information, like their name, identifying number, or credit card number, without their permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. The term identity theft was coined in 1964.

What are the top 10 ways that thieves steal your identity?

What are the 3 types of identity theft?

The three most common types of identity theft are financial, medical and online.

What are the four 4 types of identity theft?

The four types of identity theft include medical, criminal, financial and child identity theft. Medical identity theft occurs when individuals identify themselves as another to procure free medical care.

Is identity theft very common?

Nearly 60 million Americans have been affected by identity theft, according to a 2018 online survey by The Harris Poll. That same survey indicates nearly 15 million consumers experienced identity theft in 2017. So, yes, the crime of identity theft is relatively common.