Department warns of fast growing trend of infant, child identity theft

It’s not quite as easy as stealing a candy from a baby, but authorities say many identity thieves have turned to stealing personal information belonging to children because their crimes can go undetected for years.

Infant and child identity theft is one of the fastest growing segments of identity theft in the nation, according to the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs.

If the identity of an infant is stolen, it might take as many as 18 years before the parent or child discovers someone else has been using his or her name for purchases and financial gain.

Most children are at risk of having their identities stolen because, at birth, the majority of parents contact the government and request Social Security numbers.

Most parents have pure intentions; the child must have a Social Security number in order to be listed as a dependent for tax purposes, according to the state Department of Consumer Affairs. A Social
Security number also is needed to start a trust fund, purchase savings bonds or open a savings account in a child’s name.

But sometimes intentions aren’t good and it’s the parents or close family members who steal a minor’s identity and commit financial fraud, Florence County Sheriff’s Investigator Chad Collins said.

“A lot of times, a family member will get a copy of a child’s Social Security card and get a credit account in their name,” he said. “It can sometimes be the parents if they need extra money.”

It wouldn’t be difficult to bring charges against a parent who is using his or her child’s identity, Collins said. But he said the case would have its challenges because the child probably cannot speak on his own behalf or be listed as the complainant.

If a parent discovers a family member or anyone else has been using a child’s identity, he or she can easily contact authorities, Collins said.

The crime is virtually unheard of in Florence County, but it’s increasing nationwide, he said.

“Sometimes it can be a complete stranger,” Collins said. “During burglaries, they can come across Social Security cards and hold on to them and open up accounts with them.”

One of the easiest ways for thieves to obtain anyone’s identity and financial information is on the Internet, he said.

State consumer affairs officials said teens frequently are the victims of identity theft because they share personal information over social networking sites.

Information posted online leaves a permanent “cyber fingerprint” that scammers and hackers can find and use, according to the agency.

Parents can protect children by storing their Social Security information in a safe place away from everyone — including other family members.

If other people know a child’s Social Security number, parents should know who they are, why they need it and, if possible, ask for a background check on those people.

Parents should be suspicious if a child receives pre-approved credit offers online or in the mail.

Reviewing a child’s Social Security Administration earnings statement is a good way to detect identity theft, according to the state consumer affairs office.  If a child has a reported income, that’s a strong indication his or her identity has been stolen.

South Carolina residents have an advantage over child identity theft because of the Financial Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Protection Act that took effect in December.

For more details on identity theft, call the S.C. Department Consumer Affairs Public Information Division at (803) 734-4190 or visit http://www.scconsumer.gov.

— Staff writer Jamie Rogers can be reached at (843) 317-7266.