Are you curious to learn more about birth certificates and what might happen if someone creates a fake birth certificate in your name? In this article, we have highlighted some key facts to keep in mind when protecting your documents and identity. 
What is a Birth Certificate?

 

To put simply, a birth certificate is an official government document that record the birth of an individual. It is a permanent record of the existence of a child and provides legal recognition of their identity. 

 

Here are some of the things that are typically recording on a birth certificate:

 

• The date of birth of the child 
• The name of the child 
• The place of birth
• The gender of the child
• The names of the child’s parents

 

The information on a birth certificate may vary based on where the child was born, but generally these are the key pieces of information that will be included on the document. 

 

Why Do You Need a Birth Certificate?

 

A birth certificate and the legal recognition it comes with can help to protect the child from difference forms of violence, abuse or exploitation. Without a certificate, the child does not have any official legal ties to a country and can be at risk of trafficking or family separation. 

 

Why Would Scammers Want Your Birth Certificate?

 

Countless stories have been told of people having their birth certificates stolen and used to obtain forms of identification, open bank accounts, and apply for other fraudulent benefits. 

 

It is dangerous for a scammer to get hold of your birth certificate or create a fake birth certificate as it contains lots of your personal information, including your full name, place of birth, parent’s name, and date of birth. 

 

With this information, the scammer is able to steal your identity and recreate a fake a birth certificate to apply for things like pension benefits, driver’s licenses, and more. Here are some of the common actions that a scammer may take with access to your birth certificate:

 

• Use the certificate to obtain a passport or other piece of ID
• Use it to access bank accounts
• Use it to create fake online profiles and scam friends of loved ones
• Use it to apply for government benefits 

 

How Do I Know If Someone is Using My Birth Certificate?

 

If you’re concerned someone has made a fake birth certificate in your name or is using your original copy, make sure to contact your local authorities and request assistance. Nonetheless, here are a few signs that someone might be using your identity:

 

• New credit inquiries are being made about accounts you never tried to open
• Your financial institutions are contacting you about suspicious inquiries
• You’re noticing charges or unusual activity on your credit cards
• You’ve lost your birth certificate 
• You have been locked out of any important online accounts 
• You can’t collect government benefit 

 

What To Do If Someone Made a Fake Birth Certificate of You

 

If you think you’re birth certificate might have been stolen or faked, you will need to act quickly and file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, you may want to follow some of these steps to secure your financial and person safety: 

 

Cancel or Freeze Your Credit Cards

 

If you’ve noticed some abnormal charges being made on any of your credit cards, make sure to visit your bank and discuss freezing or cancelling the card to avoid any financial loss. Your bank may be able to refund any fraudulent charges, but action should be taken immediately. 

 

Change Online Passwords 

 

If you have any important online accounts that the scammer may try to access, make sure to change the passwords and set up two-factor authentication to help prevent them from getting 

any access. 

 

 

How to Replace Your Birth Certificate 

 

If you’ve lost your birth certificate or it was stolen, you will need to have it replaced. In applying for a new birth certificate, you will need to provide an alternate piece of identification to prove your identity. Some forms of identification that would work, include:

 

• Driver’s License
• Passport 
• Services Card 

 

Following this, you will need to bring these documents to a local records office and request a new birth certificate to be delivered in person or in some cases by mail. You may be required to pay a small fee for the document. 

 

Keep Your Documents Safe 

 

Having someone create a fake birth certificate in your name and stealing your identity is not a fun experience, and precaution should be taken to avoid it from happening again or ever. 

 

We recommend storing your important documents in a safe or somewhere well hidden inside your home. Keep an eye out on any abnormal activity on your accounts and speak with the authorities if you are worried someone is trying to access your private information.