eNews Archive

Child Identity Theft is a growing problem in the US. It can go unnoticed for years, but cause serious problems when the time comes to get a college loan, car loan, apartment, or a job.

It happens more often than you think. A recent study determined that on average one child in every classroom already has someone fraudulently using that child's Social Security number to obtain credit cards, home or car loans, utilities, or employment. And 12% of the victims were under age 6. The average fraudulent debt per child victim is $12,700.

Click here for tips from Joseph Jaap on checking if your child's identity is being used by criminals.

Has someone you know remarried following a divorce or the death of a spouse? People commonly neglect reviewing wills, retirement plans, 401Ks, insurance policies, and other estate planning documents - often with unintended consequences.

For instance, if someone has a living will or a health care power of attorney, their ex-spouse may still have the power to make health care decisions on their behalf. The ex-spouse might relish that power - a bit too much. Or an inadequately drafted will after a remarriage might unintentionally disinherit a person's own children. Click here to read more from David Lefton on how to avoid these problems.

The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for your arrest. You tell him you never received a notice, but he says to clear it up, you must furnish some information for "verification purposes" - your birth date, social security number, driver's license number, and maybe even a credit card number.  Don't be fooled.  Click here to read more as provided by the FBI.