"Now identity theft affects 1.25 million kids — or about 1 out of 50 children — every year, according to the research firm Javelin.
May 08, 2024
Question of the Day: How many minors have had their identity stolen?
Pro Tip: Your social security number and social media do NOT mix.
Answer: 1 in 50
Questions:
- Why do you think ID theft happens so frequently to minors?
- What would you do if you found out that someone was using your Social Security number to open accounts?
- How can you check to make sure this hasn't happened to you?
Behind the numbers (Washington Post):
Most of the time, child identity theft victims know the perpetrators personally, Javelin’s data shows. But social media and the data economy play a growing role. Kids have a hard time distinguishing between good and bad intentions when they meet people on the internet, says Kelly Merryman, president and chief operating officer of digital safety company Aura. Sometimes they disclose information that’s useful to identity thieves. It doesn’t help that schools, camps and other caregivers still ask for kids’ sensitive data like Social Security numbers and home addresses — information that, once digitized, can fall into the wrong hands."
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NGPF's Consumer Skills unit will help prepare your students to be savvy when it comes to protecting their identity.
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Want to reinforce how many different types of identity theft we face on a daily basis? Try COMPARE: Types of Identity Theft.
About the Author
Ryan Wood
Ryan grew up with and maintains a love for learning. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a degree in Business Administration and worked in sports marketing for a number of years. After living in Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, and Minnesota, the call of education eventually brought Ryan back to his home state of Wisconsin where he was a Business and Marketing teacher for three years. In his free time he likes to spend time with his wife and daughter, play basketball, read, and go fishing. Now with NGPF, Ryan is excited to help teachers lead the most important course their students will ever take.
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