March 23, 2015 Overview Identity theft is one of the most common crimes in the developed world today. With more and more information available online than ever before, millions of people are being hurt by identity theft every year. One of the most common types of identity theft is between family members. Often times, family members know the most about other members of the family so it makes it easier to steal identities. With that being said, many people wonder if identity theft on someone within the immediate family is still considered true identify. For example, if a parent takes out of credit card in the name of their child, can they be prosecuted for it? The short answer is yes, and the article below explains why. What Is Identity Theft Identity theft is when one person steals the identity of another in order to exploit the other person. The thief could be applying for an apartment, credit card, or any other type of financial asset. Any time a person steals the identity of another it is considered identity theft and is still a crime. When many people find out there their parents have committed a crime they are reluctant to tell the authorities. If you are in this situation, it is important to consult with a lawyer in order to determine your best course of action. How A Law Firm Can Help If you are the victim of identity theft, first of all it is important for you to know that you are not alone. Millions of people every year are hurt when other take out fraudulent claims in their name. You should not feel ashamed or discouraged because someone else has broken the law in your name. If money has been stolen from you, you are entitled to get that money back. In addition, charges can be pressed against the person that stole the identity. In cases where a parent has stolen the identity of the child, there is often many variables to whether a person should go forward with charges. Conclusion Overall, identity theft is a crime that millions of people in the United States suffer from every year. With more information available on the internet than ever before, it is getting easier for people to steal the identity of others. If you are the victim of identity theft, it is important that you get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. If you or a loved one need more information please contact one of our dedicated attorneys at 206-621-0500 or online today.