Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sandra Yi and Jon Dunn Reporting It's a fast growing crime that affects all of us, including children. One Utah mother recently found that out when her daughter's identity was stolen.
It happens more than parents may realize. Lynnette Weed's daughter is sharing her identity with someone else. She may be only five-years old, but clearing her name has become a frustrating feat.
Lynnette Weed: "I'm just frustrated and I'm angry because it's my child."
Lynnette Weed will tell you that, with motherhood, comes challenges. She's facing one, she never expected.
Lynnette Weed, Mother: "A nightmare, yeah, and it's probably only the beginning."
Weed's daughter Grace is only five-years old. But a credit check would make you think otherwise.
Grace: "Someone stole my security number."
Lynnette Weed: "Yeah, she's five and she's working. She could be out there buying a house."
Weed's daughter receives her insurance through the state. On Friday, Weed got a phone call, from someone at the Children's Health Insurance Program, saying someone was using her daughter's social security number.
Lynnette Weed: "Every place I've called, and they're like, 'She needs to call us herself.' And I say, 'She's only five, she can't very well call you and identify who she is.'"
Authorities say, most likely, an illegal immigrant bought the child's social security number on the street to work.
Lynnette Weed: "It's scary to me, and from what I've heard, it happens a lot more than people are realizing."
The Attorney General's Office says the numbers of at least 2,000 Utah children have been compromised.
Richard Hamp, Utah Attorney General's Office: "Credit histories are just as tedious for five-year olds, two-year olds, as 98-year olds."
And most young people won't realize they're victims until they apply for a school loan or credit card. Weed feels lucky she found out early, but she hopes the problem won't haunt her daughter.
Lynnette Weed: "Had they not called me, a lot can be done in 13 years."
The AG's office is investigating Weed's case. Authorities say, unfortunately, there's really nothing a parent can do, to see if their child's number is being used.
In 2008, new legislation will allow parents to put a credit freeze on their kids' social security number.
