Less Than 2-Years-Old, Double ID Theft Victim Has No Recourse?
from the no-losses dept
The latest story about identity theft includes the case of a 22-month-old child who has had her identity stolen twice already -- apparently by acquaintances of her parents. The child's name and social security number were used by one person to set up phone service, and was used by someone else on their tax returns to be claimed as a dependent for a tax deduction. The story then goes on with the usual fluff about how identity theft is a problem, but at the end mentions that the child and her parents have basically no recourse against those who used the child's info -- since they didn't lose anything because of it. The "losses" went to the phone company (and the government, when it comes to taxes). That's not true, though. It should also negatively impact the kid's credit report when she grows old enough to get a real credit rating. Anyway, the story does lend support to the idea that online identity theft is less of a problem than more old fashioned identity theft from people who know you or have access to your info through less technical means.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Credit report blight prior to 18?
A minor cannot legally have credit on his/her own. Any company that issues credit to that minor takes the fully brunt of the liability.
But you bring up an interesting point... When she's able to get credit, will there be a record of the events that occurred when she was two years old? Common sense would say no, but Common Sense seems to be lacking from bureaucracies these days.
Proving damages to the child or her family would seem difficult since the only damage would be to a credit rating... something she really could have at her age (although, evidently she does!).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
I don't know, any normal parent would think after the first time to be careful who they trust, but TWICE?
We need to have licenses for reproduction I think. Its time...before the world gets dumber...I mean look at dorpus!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No Subject Given
>> people ASSOCIATE with?....
hmm lets see, the mother's name is LaShonda.
infant is named Jobriana.
Im betting a Tyrone lives nearby (probably stops by the "crib")..
nearby lives a Jamal, a Rasheem, a Shaniqua, a Damarcus, a Chantee, a DeJuan, a Keyshawn, a Latrish, a Omar, a Denzil ... You Get the Point.
It's not their associations, but more their 'nicity. if u get my point.
I recommend sterilization. screw licenses.. these people don't adhere to common civil laws.. and u want to mandate a license for reproduction.
HAHA. Its not like the legal system and law enforcement aren't overwhelmed with the likes of LaShonda.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: who is dorpus?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No Subject Given
>> people ASSOCIATE with?....
hmm lets see, the mother's name is LaShonda.
infant is named Jobriana.
Im betting a Tyrone lives nearby (probably stops by the "crib")..
nearby lives a Jamal, a Rasheem, a Shaniqua, a Damarcus, a Chantee, a DeJuan, a Keyshawn, a Latrish, a Omar, a Denzil ... You Get the Point.
It's not their associations, but more their 'nicity. if u get my point.
I recommend sterilization. screw licenses.. these people don't adhere to common civil laws.. and u want to mandate a license for reproduction.
HAHA. Its not like the legal system and law enforcement aren't overwhelmed with the likes of LaShonda.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]