Interviewing for your first job as a teenager is as exciting as
it is intimidating. Thoughts of what to do with your first paycheck
consume your mind as you rehearse your best
do-you-want-fries-with-that smile. The interview proceeds
flawlessly, and you start to count the dollar signs as you await
the job offer. But, imagine your surprise when you are informed
that you did not get the job because your background check revealed
that you are more than $75,000 in debt and five years behind in
child support payments for your 11-year-old child—a
terrifying thought considering you are only 16 years old.
Adults are not the only victims of identity theft. Child
identity theft is an increasing and understated crime. A
child's Social Security number ("SSN") is the perfect
target, as the theft typically goes undetected until years after
the crime has taken place. Indeed, the crime might not be
discovered until the rightful owner/victim uses his or her SSN for
the first time
