CALL 901-388-1588
Identity Theft in Children
March 7th, 2014 | Identity Theft
Courtesy Consumer Information
Children are Victims of Identity Theft
by Robert T. Lord
New Evidence Indicates Identity Thieves are Targeting Children for Unused Social Security Numbers.
The report found that out of population of 42,000 minors (those under the age of 18), 4,300 had their Social Security numbers misused by other people. That is almost 10 percent.
It appears that stolen identities from children might be the hottest ticket in the identity theft activity.
Most of the breaches likely included insurance and healthcare companies where parents and guardians list dependents for coverage.
There is no single explanation why children's SSN are being targeted now except that criminal activity can go undetected for longer periods of time, often until the victim turns 18 years old.
1 STOP Mortgage recommends everyone with a social security number should review their information on the three credit report agencies once a year.
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (Fact Act) consumers are entitled to receive one free credit file disclosure every 12 months from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
This free credit file can be requested through the internet, by phone or by mail.
INTERNET - www.annualcreditreport.com
PHONE – 1-877-322-8228
MAIL - Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA. 30348-5281
After you receive the credit reports and do not understand or need an explanation on the information that it contains please call 1 STOP Mortgage for assistance.
