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| Identity Theft Hits Victims of All Ages |
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| www.creditfyi.com |
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4/2/2009 - Some recent media reports are demonstrating that when it comes to identity theft, you're never too young to be vigilant.
According to ABC News, an 11-year-old Florida boy was found to be a victim of identity theft after his mother tried to open a bank account for him. The boy's effort to establish an account was reportedly rejected because, as it turned out, his Social Security number (SSN) was already in use.
Whoever has been using the boy's personal information has reportedly bought a house, a number of cars and other items with it. The television network notes that the boy was eventually allowed to open his account, and the mother, a Miami-area police officer, will be putting a freeze on his Social Security number for future security.
"I'm only 11 years old, and I have bad credit," the boy said.
Identity thieves frequently target the Social Security numbers of young children because, despite the lack of a consumer credit history for the SSN in question, the thieves can often get away with their crimes for years before anyone notices.
This story is hardly an isolated phenomenon. An Associated Press report notes that an identity theft ring in Puerto Rico that catered to illegal immigrants has just been broken up after stealing the personal information of about 7,000 school children.
Read more: Identity Theft Hits Victims of All Ages | CreditFYI.com - http://www.creditfyi.com/News/identity-theft-hits-victims-of-all-ages-234.htm#ixzz0Bu8L8sUy
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