My dad has been using my identity to open credit cards and take out loans — and he destroyed my credit. How do I fix it?

Core Insights - Identity theft by a parent is a significant issue, with one in 50 children in the U.S. falling victim each year, and over two-thirds of these cases involve someone the victim knows [3][4]. Group 1: Dmitri's Situation - Dmitri discovered that his father has been taking loans in his name since he was 18, leading to a credit score in the low 400s and collection agency calls [2][3]. - Dmitri feels a mix of emotions, including shame for not recognizing the deception sooner and fear about starting his adult life with poor credit [6]. Group 2: Steps to Recovery - Dmitri should file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and consider changing his Social Security Number to prevent further misuse [8][9]. - Contacting lenders to inform them of the fraud and potentially filing a police report is crucial for closing fraudulent accounts and correcting his credit report [9][10]. - Consulting with an attorney specializing in identity theft can help navigate the recovery process and establish his victim status to banks and agencies [10][14]. Group 3: Ongoing Vigilance - Dmitri must remain vigilant by regularly checking his credit report and considering an extended fraud alert or credit freeze [13]. - He should also take precautions to secure his personal information, such as locking important documents and using strong cybersecurity practices [16][17].