Identity theft targets social security numbers of children

Identity theft: Now thieves are targeting your kid's social security number long before the little one even has a bank account. Authorities say this type of identity theft could pose new problems for the nation's credit system.

|
Newscom
Identity theft: Thieves are now stealing your kid's Social Security number.

The latest form of identity theft doesn't depend on stealing your Social Security number. Now thieves are targeting your kid's number long before the little one even has a bank account.

Hundreds of online businesses are using computers to find dormant Social Security numbers — usually those assigned to children who don't use them — then selling those numbers under another name to help people establish phony credit and run up huge debts they will never pay off.

Authorities say the scheme could pose a new threat to the nation's credit system. Because the numbers exist in a legal gray area, federal investigators have not figured out a way to prosecute the people involved.

"If people are obtaining enough credit by fraud, we're back to another financial collapse," said Linda Marshall, an assistant U.S. attorney in Kansas City. "We tend to talk about it as the next wave."

The sellers get around the law by not referring to Social Security numbers. Instead, just as someone might pay for an escort service instead of a prostitute, they refer to CPNs — for credit profile, credit protection or credit privacy numbers.

Julia Jensen, an FBI agent in Kansas City, discovered the scheme while investigating a mortgage-fraud case. She has given presentations to lenders across the Kansas City area to show them how easy it is to create a false credit score using these numbers.

Related:

Identity heist!

Citing identity theft violations, NY Attorney General sues social network

Fla. man in credit card data theft accepts plea

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to Identity theft targets social security numbers of children
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0803/Identity-theft-targets-social-security-numbers-of-children
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe