GITNUXREPORT 2025

Child Identity Theft Statistics

Child identity theft soared 73%, affecting predominantly young children and causing long-term harm.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Schools that implement rigorous data security protocols see 50% fewer cases of child identity theft

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Hackers targeted school databases in 35% of child identity theft cases reported in 2022

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15% of guardians are unaware that children can be victims of identity theft

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The majority of child identity theft cases go undetected for over a year

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Approximately 52% of parents are unaware of how to check for signs of child identity theft

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Nearly 60% of parents admit they are unsure about how to protect their children’s identities

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Child victims tend to be targeted at an earlier age when their guardians are less aware of the threat

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Over 80% of child identity theft cases are preventable with standard cybersecurity precautions

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The use of technological tools by parents, like monitoring apps, reduces the likelihood of child identity theft by 30%

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Only 12% of parents regularly check their children’s credit reports, which can help identify theft early

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The average age at which child victims become aware of the theft is around 12 years old

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The average loss per child victim is approximately $4,000

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Child identity theft can lead to long-term credit damage that lasts over 10 years

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The typical recovery time for a child victim of identity theft is about 18 months

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65% of cases involve financial fraud, while 35% involve access to healthcare or government benefits

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Nearly 25% of child identity theft victims experience psychological effects such as anxiety and trust issues

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On average, child identity theft victims see their credit score negatively impacted for 7 to 10 years

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The cumulative cost of child identity theft victims in the US is estimated to be over $10 billion annually

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Children who have been victims of identity theft report higher levels of mistrust in digital environments, with 65% expressing concerns about online safety

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Child identity theft can lead to difficulties in obtaining student loans later in life, with 30% of victims experiencing such challenges

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Approximately 12% of child identity theft cases are linked to phishing attacks on parents or guardians

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In 2023, there was a surge in child identity theft linked to online shopping scams

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The most common method of data breach leading to child identity theft is hacking (45%), followed by lost devices (20%), and insider theft (15%)

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The most common form of child identity theft is the creation of fraudulent credit accounts, accounting for 60% of cases

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Cybercriminals increasingly use deepfake technology to create fake identities for children, complicating detection efforts

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Over 1.6 million children in the U.S. were affected by identity theft in 2022

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Child identity theft cases increased by 73% between 2019 and 2022

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The Federal Trade Commission received over 100,000 reports related to child identity theft in 2022

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24% of child identity theft cases involve the use of Social Security numbers

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Approximately 55% of child identity theft victims are under the age of 8

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Nearly 40% of child identity theft cases involve fraudulent credit accounts opened in the child's name

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In 2022, 30% of child identity theft cases involved Medicaid or government benefit fraud

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70% of children who become victims have their identities stolen through data breaches

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Child identity theft is more common in urban areas compared to rural areas

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Only 10% of cases of child identity theft are reported to law enforcement

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45% of child identity theft reports relate to stolen Social Security numbers

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Cases of child identity theft have been reported in all 50 states, with California and Texas having the highest number of cases

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82% of child identity theft cases involve the filing of fraudulent tax returns

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Over 400,000 children lost their identities in the US in 2022, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center

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Identity thieves often target minors because their credit histories are not well established, making detection easier

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35% of child identity theft cases involve false medical claims in the child's name

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Children of minority backgrounds are statistically more at risk for identity theft, with 65% higher incidence rates

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Social Security number fraud accounts for approximately 80% of child identity theft cases

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In 2022, 68% of child identity theft victims had their data stolen through third-party vendors

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About 10% of child identity theft cases are linked to stolen mail

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The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 7,000 reports of child identity theft in 2022

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The age group most commonly targeted is children between ages 0-5, accounting for 45% of cases

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28% of child identity theft cases involve fake government IDs used for fraudulent activities

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Child identity theft incidents in healthcare increased by 40% from 2019 to 2022

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Approximately 38% of child identity theft cases involve false claims for Medicaid or other health benefits

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Children with disabilities are 50% more likely to be targeted for identity theft, according to recent studies

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Key Highlights

Over 1.6 million children in the U.S. were affected by identity theft in 2022
Child identity theft cases increased by 73% between 2019 and 2022
The Federal Trade Commission received over 100,000 reports related to child identity theft in 2022
24% of child identity theft cases involve the use of Social Security numbers
Approximately 55% of child identity theft victims are under the age of 8
The average loss per child victim is approximately $4,000
15% of guardians are unaware that children can be victims of identity theft
Nearly 40% of child identity theft cases involve fraudulent credit accounts opened in the child's name
In 2022, 30% of child identity theft cases involved Medicaid or government benefit fraud
The majority of child identity theft cases go undetected for over a year
70% of children who become victims have their identities stolen through data breaches
Child identity theft is more common in urban areas compared to rural areas
Hackers targeted school databases in 35% of child identity theft cases reported in 2022

Did you know that over 1.6 million children in the U.S. were affected by identity theft in 2022 alone, highlighting a growing and often hidden threat to our youngest generations?

Data Security and Breach Incidents in Schools

Schools that implement rigorous data security protocols see 50% fewer cases of child identity theft

Data Security and Breach Incidents in Schools Interpretation

Implementing stringent data security measures in schools is not just a digital safeguard but a powerful shield that cuts child identity theft cases in half, proving that protecting kids' information is a foundational step towards their brighter, safer futures.

Data Security and Breach Incidents in Schools and Healthcare

Hackers targeted school databases in 35% of child identity theft cases reported in 2022

Data Security and Breach Incidents in Schools and Healthcare Interpretation

The alarming fact that hackers targeted school databases in 35% of child identity theft cases in 2022 underscores the urgent need for stronger digital defenses in educational institutions to protect our most vulnerable identities.

Detection, Awareness, and Preventive Measures

15% of guardians are unaware that children can be victims of identity theft
The majority of child identity theft cases go undetected for over a year
Approximately 52% of parents are unaware of how to check for signs of child identity theft
Nearly 60% of parents admit they are unsure about how to protect their children’s identities
Child victims tend to be targeted at an earlier age when their guardians are less aware of the threat
Over 80% of child identity theft cases are preventable with standard cybersecurity precautions
The use of technological tools by parents, like monitoring apps, reduces the likelihood of child identity theft by 30%
Only 12% of parents regularly check their children’s credit reports, which can help identify theft early
The average age at which child victims become aware of the theft is around 12 years old

Detection, Awareness, and Preventive Measures Interpretation

Despite alarming statistics showing most child identity theft cases go unnoticed for over a year and a significant portion of parents remain clueless about protection, increased awareness and proactive cybersecurity measures could prevent over 80% of these crimes, highlighting a pressing need for guardians to educate themselves before their children become unwitting victims at a tender age.

Impact and Consequences on Victims

The average loss per child victim is approximately $4,000
Child identity theft can lead to long-term credit damage that lasts over 10 years
The typical recovery time for a child victim of identity theft is about 18 months
65% of cases involve financial fraud, while 35% involve access to healthcare or government benefits
Nearly 25% of child identity theft victims experience psychological effects such as anxiety and trust issues
On average, child identity theft victims see their credit score negatively impacted for 7 to 10 years
The cumulative cost of child identity theft victims in the US is estimated to be over $10 billion annually
Children who have been victims of identity theft report higher levels of mistrust in digital environments, with 65% expressing concerns about online safety
Child identity theft can lead to difficulties in obtaining student loans later in life, with 30% of victims experiencing such challenges

Impact and Consequences on Victims Interpretation

Child identity theft not only drains an average of $4,000 per victim and inflicts long-lasting credit scars spanning over a decade, but also leaves emotional wounds and trust issues that threaten their future financial stability and sense of security in a digital world—highlighting the urgent need for better safeguards before innocence becomes a costly, decade-long burden.

Methods, Trends, and Cybercriminal Techniques

Approximately 12% of child identity theft cases are linked to phishing attacks on parents or guardians
In 2023, there was a surge in child identity theft linked to online shopping scams
The most common method of data breach leading to child identity theft is hacking (45%), followed by lost devices (20%), and insider theft (15%)
The most common form of child identity theft is the creation of fraudulent credit accounts, accounting for 60% of cases
Cybercriminals increasingly use deepfake technology to create fake identities for children, complicating detection efforts

Methods, Trends, and Cybercriminal Techniques Interpretation

As cybercriminals increasingly adopt sophisticated tactics like deepfakes and online shopping scams, it's clear that protecting children's identities requires vigilant guardianship, not just in the digital realm but across all avenues of their online and offline lives.

Prevalence and Demographics of Child Identity Theft

Over 1.6 million children in the U.S. were affected by identity theft in 2022
Child identity theft cases increased by 73% between 2019 and 2022
The Federal Trade Commission received over 100,000 reports related to child identity theft in 2022
24% of child identity theft cases involve the use of Social Security numbers
Approximately 55% of child identity theft victims are under the age of 8
Nearly 40% of child identity theft cases involve fraudulent credit accounts opened in the child's name
In 2022, 30% of child identity theft cases involved Medicaid or government benefit fraud
70% of children who become victims have their identities stolen through data breaches
Child identity theft is more common in urban areas compared to rural areas
Only 10% of cases of child identity theft are reported to law enforcement
45% of child identity theft reports relate to stolen Social Security numbers
Cases of child identity theft have been reported in all 50 states, with California and Texas having the highest number of cases
82% of child identity theft cases involve the filing of fraudulent tax returns
Over 400,000 children lost their identities in the US in 2022, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center
Identity thieves often target minors because their credit histories are not well established, making detection easier
35% of child identity theft cases involve false medical claims in the child's name
Children of minority backgrounds are statistically more at risk for identity theft, with 65% higher incidence rates
Social Security number fraud accounts for approximately 80% of child identity theft cases
In 2022, 68% of child identity theft victims had their data stolen through third-party vendors
About 10% of child identity theft cases are linked to stolen mail
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 7,000 reports of child identity theft in 2022
The age group most commonly targeted is children between ages 0-5, accounting for 45% of cases
28% of child identity theft cases involve fake government IDs used for fraudulent activities
Child identity theft incidents in healthcare increased by 40% from 2019 to 2022
Approximately 38% of child identity theft cases involve false claims for Medicaid or other health benefits
Children with disabilities are 50% more likely to be targeted for identity theft, according to recent studies

Prevalence and Demographics of Child Identity Theft Interpretation

With over 1.6 million children affected in 2022—a 73% surge since 2019—and only 10% of cases reported, it's clear that child identity theft is not just an unsettling statistic but a stealthy epidemic where the most vulnerable are exploited through data breaches, fake identities, and the invisibility of unreported cases, demanding urgent action before today's innocent minors become tomorrow's financial fraud victims.