Kids are easy targets for identity thieves— and they're becoming more common ones, as well.
A new report from Javelin Strategy & Research says that in 2017, more than 1 million children in the United States were victims of identity theft, resulting in $2.6 billion in losses. Families paid an estimated $540 million in out-of-pocket costs because of the fraud.
Kids are establishing online footprints earlier and earlier, which helps identity thieves gain access to their information. Digitization of school and medical records assists as well.
Children's identities are worth more on the black market, making them an especially alluring target for thieves.