Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


6

'I'm Only 11 Years Old, and I Have Bad Credit'

Florida thief uses pre-teen's identity to buy home, cars

Share

(Newser) – While 11-year-old Jake LeGette was saving the money he earned mowing lawns, a Florida woman was busy using his Social Security number to splurge on a house and nine cars, ABC News reports. Jake and his mother, a Miami-area police officer, discovered the ID theft after trying to open a bank account to store his $500 in savings.

The unidentified woman stole Jake's identity about 4 years ago. Thieves often target children because their credit is so inactive, and experts suggest parents investigate if their children start receiving credit card applications or calls from debt collectors. “It makes me mad,” said Jake’s mom, while he marveled, “I'm only 11 years old, and I have bad credit.”

Experts say because a child's identity is so inactive, thieves can often get away with it for years.
Experts say because a child's identity is so inactive, thieves can often get away with it for years.   (Shutter Stock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

No one really knows how prevalent it is because childhood identity theft is usually not detected until they take those first steps into adulthood. - Betsy Broder,
Federal Trade Commission

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
6 comments
VIEWING:
 
oldgoat
Apr 3, 09 2:42 AM CDT
I have read about this happening before and actually had my children try getting a credit report back when they were about 16 a few years ago. Parents should try it at least once in a while. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
riffran
Apr 3, 09 3:01 AM CDT
That is downright low and dirty aint it?...I hope the catch and imprison that lady for a loooooong time Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
riffran
Apr 3, 09 3:02 AM CDT
ooops the "Y" key stuck i meant "they" catch and imprison........
Vote up! Vote down!
0
AClotfelter
Apr 3, 09 3:54 AM CDT
It should be easy to catch identity thieves, but the government seems unwilling to put much effort into it... at any rate, it should be illegal for credit companies to apply negative records to your credit in confirmed cases of identity theft... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Apr 4, 09 3:19 AM CDT
They have not the resources, what with all the cost-cutting and war-fighting and deregulation. Ever notice white-collar crime units disappearing? I did. I think we'll see a reversal of that trend, but white collar crime is also complex and takes time to investigate. All these factors made it a neglected aspect of the previous administration's crime-fighting priorities.
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 6 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

475 Stories

READ: NO LESBIANS HERE

 FSU Glams Up 
 Hoops Stars, 
 Sparks Uproar 

Marketing Florida State players smacks of homophobia

Nov 24, 09 4:30 AM CST
(Newser) - Female basketball stars' three-pointers, hook shots, muscles, and agility don't score with Florida State University officials. They've also got to look good in the slinky gowns they had to don for the team's website. Now women are crying foul. Each member of the team, some provocatively clutching basketballs, wears a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Florida • gender • basketball • lesbians • college sports • gender bias • college hoops • US athletes • battle of the sexes • Florida State University

HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

 Beck to Unveil 
 'Big Plan' at 
 Saturday Rally 

Righty pundit OK with destroying Dems and GOP

Nov 20, 09 8:07 PM CST
(Newser) - Glenn Beck has got a “big plan” for 2010, and he’s going to let us in on it tomorrow at a Florida rally that coincides with the beginning of his book tour, insiders tell Politico . The Fox News host’s new direction is likely to involve his 9.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Florida • Fox News • Republican Party • Glenn Beck • Democratic Party • conservative media • Glenn Beck book tour • Glenn Beck Arguing With Idiots • Glenn Beck's 'big plan' • 9.12 Project

CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL

Defense Accuses Man Who Found Caylee's Body

Cops have already cleared utility worker

Nov 20, 09 12:12 PM CST
(Newser) - Lawyers representing Casey Anthony, accused of murdering her daughter, Caylee, are attempting to cast suspicion on another suspect who has been cleared by police. Roy Kronk, a meter reader, found the Florida toddler’s body and notified police. After interviews with ex-wives and family, Anthony's defense team has concluded Kronk... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Florida • testimony • murder trial • Casey Anthony • Caylee Anthony • child murder • defense attorney • Roy Kronk • Casey Anthony trial

475 Stories


Jake fights to get back his good name
WPLG Miami

Protecting yourself against ID theft
Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice


Crime & Courts 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
Florida • identity theft • Social Security

from our news partners