Identity theft is real.

For a crook, the key to pulling off a successful scam operation is basic. Gather enough private information so that you can masquerade as someone else. Or maybe create a new, false identity.

There is power in that social security number you have.

Once an identity thief has it, he or she can open charge accounts, take out loans, and run up enormous debt. And you are the one left with a credit score in tatters.

In today’s case, one swindler decided to steal the social security numbers of children, who obviously don’t check their credit reports for suspicious activity.

Armed with this information, he created fake identities and went on a spending spree.

At least until he got caught…

“Amir Ali Bey, 35, pleaded guilty on Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt to two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to the release from U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

“The identity fraud ran from July 27, 2016 to May 19, 2017 with the goal of acquiring obtain money, cars and other luxury items. Bey made fake credit profiles under several aliases, including the name Daniel Isaiah Murray, which he used to apply for new lines of credit, according to court documents.”

Here’s where the technique of using the social security numbers of children came in.

“Bey intentionally took social security numbers of minors because they were less likely to monitor their credit histories. He also used fake drivers’ licenses and pay stubs to and used rental mailboxes based on these fraudulent identifications, investigators from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said.”

It was a lucrative operation. That is, until he got caught.

He now faces up to 20 years in prison.

So do you now have to check to see if your kids are the victims of identity theft?

Maybe — After all, if you find out your seven-year old just took out a loan to buy a new Mercedes, it should raise a red flag.

But in all seriousness, please share and get the word out!

Source: Chron