My ex opened a credit card using our son's Social Security number and he's now been denied student loans. What now?

March 29, 2026 - 02:35

A disturbing case of familial identity theft has emerged, highlighting a painful and often hidden form of financial abuse. An individual reports that their former partner fraudulently opened a credit card using their shared son's Social Security number. The consequences have now reached a critical point, with the young adult son being denied essential student loans due to the damaged credit history incurred in his name without his knowledge.

This scenario underscores a devastating breach of trust that can have long-term repercussions. The victim faces immediate barriers to education and a credit profile littered with delinquencies that are not his own. Resolving such issues is complex and time-consuming, requiring the victim to file police reports, dispute the fraudulent accounts with credit bureaus, and place extended fraud alerts on his credit file.

Experts warn that parents or relatives are often the perpetrators in these cases, as they have easy access to a child's personal information. The emotional toll is compounded by the practical nightmare of restoring one's financial identity. It serves as a stark reminder for all families to safeguard sensitive documents and to consider proactive measures like freezing a minor's credit, which can prevent new accounts from being opened and stop such betrayal before it derails a future.