How Kids Under 18 Are Having Their Credit Wrecked

Imagine the gut-punch of disappointment that must arise when, turning 18 and applying for student loans, you find yourself already yoked to colossal debt. Unfortunately this is the case for many kids out there as they are often the targets of identity theft. And their exposure comes from one of the most unlikely sources.

If you are one of those unfortunate kids whose had their credit damaged due to identity theft, we can offer assistance to try and amend the damage. Find out how to fix your identity theft credit score.

According to a report by ABC news, one in every 40 kids under legal age of adulthood becomes a victim to identity theft. And unfortunately, many of these thefts arise from people close to them: from family or friends. The thieves are usually people who have already decimated their own credit and steal the kids’ identity in order to try and fix their own credit problems or, more maliciously, just looking to tap into a new well of money. Some do so under the erroneous belief that, as the kids aren’t of legal age, the problem will resolve itself upon turning 18. This means that kids enter into adulthood loaded with a debt they might never be able to pay off.

What’s more, the ways in which these thieves acquire this information is from a presumably benign source: mom pride on social media. As the report goes on to say, as more and more moms–and family and friends as well–post virtually every aspect of your life online, where not just your immediate circle can view it, all of your information and potential passwords are free information: from your first pet, to your mother’s maiden name (which many moms go by in order to preserve their own identity), to your street address, birthday, height, weight, or even your soccer team and jersey number.

All of this, including the pictures that might have sensitive information, or information on when you’ll be gone from the house (“baseball tournament all day”) can be used by thieves to steal your personal information, your identity, your physical possessions while you’re out at the game, or even, in the most extreme cases, your child!

So, while you want your mom to be proud, and don’t want to chastise her for it, let her know that maybe she should hold back on some of the information she puts out there.