Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

In the context of identity theft, which type can lead to lengthy undetection due to the victim being a minor?

1. Social Identity Theft

2. Child Identity Theft

3. Synthetic Identity Theft

4. Tax Identity Theft

The correct answer is: Child Identity Theft

Child identity theft is particularly concerning because it often goes undetected for a significant period. This type of identity theft involves the unauthorized use of a minor’s personal information, such as their Social Security number, to commit fraud. Since many minors do not have credit histories or active financial accounts, the fraudulent activities might not come to light until much later, potentially when the child reaches adulthood and applies for credit or other services. In contrast to other types of identity theft, which may be more immediately recognized by the victims or financial institutions, child identity theft can lead to years of harm before the victim even realizes their identity has been compromised. This delayed discovery can result in a more complex and prolonged recovery process for the victim as they navigate correcting the misinformation that has accumulated over time. Other options are specific to different contexts of identity theft, such as social identity, synthetic identity, and tax-related theft, but they don't encapsulate the unique challenges associated with the identity theft of minors.