PITTSBURGH,None — It's identity theft with a new twist. Crooks are targeting our children like never before. What they're stealing might surprise you. Target 11 Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor explains how it happens and what you can do to stop it.
Aubriella Navarro is only 11 days old, but her parents have already applied for a Social Security number for her. It's something she won't be using for years, yet identity thieves would love to steal it right now. They might use it to rack up thousands of dollars in debt.
"It would never even cross your mind to have to worry about her Social Security, her identity, that's the furthest thing from my mind as a mom right now," said Tiffany Navarro, Aubriella's mother.
It seems most parents would agree that protecting their children does not include protecting their identity.
"You worry about them running across the street, or you worry about them getting stolen at the park. But you don't worry that their social security number is getting taken by some person on a computer," said mother Rachel Northcutt.
New research shows that identity thieves are targeting children more than ever before.
"They're using it for opening lines of credit. I've seen it used for utility services. I've seen it used for apartments," said Jay Foley of the ID Theft Resource Center.
Experts said by the time some children are in college they find their name illegally linked to mortgages, car loans and even driver's licenses.
"The problem is these numbers are out there, they're not being protected," added Foley.
Experts said there are many things you can do to protect your child's identity.
• Make sure you actually get the child's Social Security card and store it securely. • Also get a free credit report if you suspect your child's identity has been stolen. • Finally, you should consider freezing your child's credit, something that is allowed in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office also has information to help you protect you from identity theft. For more information, visit: LINK: Attorney General's website
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