What are the consequences of child identity theft?

Identity theft could affect your child's future credit and employment history if the thieves (who sometimes turn out to be family members) obtain credit accounts or even get jobs using your child's identity. If the thieves are arrested for other crimes, those crimes could become associated with your child's record.

What happens if a child has identity theft?

If your child is a victim of identity theft

Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the ID theft and get a recovery plan. Contact your local law enforcement and get a police report. Contact the fraud departments of companies where accounts were opened in your child's name.

What are the 3 main consequences of identity theft?

Which consequences can victims of identity theft?

Identity theft has profound consequences for its victims. They can have their bank accounts wiped out, credit histories ruined, and jobs and valuable possessions taken away. Some victims have even been arrested for crimes they did not commit.

What can criminals do with a child's SSN?

For example, anyone with access to just your child's SSN and name can: Open new bank or credit card accounts in their name. Take out fraudulent loans with multiple financial institutions. Buy vehicles and take out auto loans.

How Child Identity Theft Happens

How check if someone is using my kids SSN?

One way to tell if your child's identity has been stolen is by checking their credit report. If there is a credit file or fraudulent information, you'll want to review it to see if there has been credit opened in your child's name.

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.

How long does it take to recover from identity theft?

"It can take days, months, or even years to untangle identity theft," says Tolmachoff. This is because each case of identity theft is unique, and the recovery timeline can depend on many factors, including the type of identity theft that took place.

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.

How long can the effects of identity theft last?

The wide-range of identity theft-related crimes makes it hard to put a clear timeframe on recovery. However, on average, it can take over six months and 100–200 hours of your time to discover, resolve, and recover from the effects of identity theft [*].

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.

What are the 7 types of identity theft?

What are the 5 types of identity theft?

What is the punishment for a child stealing?

Stealing can have many legal, social, and emotional consequences for a child, including expulsion from daycare or school, not being asked back for playdates, and even criminal charges for teens.

How common is child identity theft?

Now identity theft affects 1.25 million kids — or about 1 out of 50 children — every year, according to the research firm Javelin. Most of the time, child identity theft victims know the perpetrators personally, Javelin's data shows.

When can child identity theft occur?

Child identity theft can happen when the child's Social Security number is stolen and used to commit fraud. A thief might use a child's Social Security number to build a credit file over the course of years—in effect, creating a false identity.

What are the first signs of identity theft?

How do you prosecute someone for identity theft?

What is the most common ID theft?

Financial identity theft.

This is the most common form of identity theft — when someone uses another person's information for financial gain.

Will the FBI investigate identity theft?

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes that it investigates and provide these victims with information, assistance services, and resources.

How long does it take IRS to investigate identity theft?

The IRS takes identity theft seriously and is committed to resolving identity theft cases as quickly as possible and are taking steps to reduce this timeframe to 120 days or less. You will be contacted when your case is resolved.

What steps after identity theft?

How do I know if someone else claimed my child on taxes?

Answer when the IRS contacts you

You may receive a letter (CP87A) from us, stating your child was claimed on another return.

Can you get a child's Social Security number changed?

No, you cannot change or substitute social security numbers for your children even though someone else has decided to claim them as dependents. As a way of background, the person who can claim a dependent child is generally the custodial parent.

How do I block someone from claiming my child on my taxes?

Neither you nor the IRS can stop someone from filing a tax return with your child as a dependent.