Blank slates: Child identity theft is a repository for cyber criminals

Child identity theft can remain undetected for years, covertly eroding victims’ financial and educational futures. Fraud Magazine delves into how perpetrators prey on these vulnerable victims, factors contributing to the magnitude of the problem, and what’s involved in prevention and recovery.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There’s also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

At just 6 years old Renata Galvão had amassed more than $400,000 in debt. She had no idea of the catastrophic damage that had been done to her once pristine, unblemished credit record until she was 18 years old. Galvão eventually learned that a family member pressured her mother into disclosing Galvão’s personally identifiable information (PII) and used it to create numerous shell companies, open bank accounts, access credit and secure loans — all in her name. The scheme, which persisted for decades, destroyed her financial future and credit rating. She spent decades working to restore her financial health and take back her identity.