Why We're Avoiding Middle Names

Question

My husband works for the financial institution and sees a lot of crazy things people will do to open a bank account. I'm sure you've figured it out: identity theft.

I met a man whose name is Roberto Manuel (and his last name), whose identity was stolen at the age of 5. He never even knew his identity had been stolen until he was ready for college, which he could not attend because he had an exceeding amount of debt to pay. But that debt is not his fault. Unfortunately, that's not how the government works. Though you file for identity theft, the banks don't see identity theft when your buying a house, car, etc.

Middle names create a uniqueness in your child's identity, making them more vulnerable to identity theft. 
How many Ana Silvas are out there? If you do your research well, you'll find plenty. But how many Ana Jean Silvas are out there? Probably not many.

Thought anyone is susceptible to identity theft, the more unique the name, the more vulnerable you become.

So my husband and I are not choosing middle names. After all, none of us have middle names. They really are unnecessary anyway.

Accepted Answer

The last thing on my mind when naming my child is the chance of identity theft. So when your child asks you why they don't have a middle name you are going to tell them "bc I was afraid of identity theft?".... I am giving my child a beautiful name and if something happens in their future I would never blame their innocent name, I will blame the cruel evil people that committed the crime. Can't stop your life to live in fear.

Answer

isn't that... the opposite? isn't a unique name good?

Answer

Go home, Anon. You're drunk.

Answer

I think it's funny that identify theft is a thing, the bank is the person who's really been robbed, them saying your identity has been stolen is a way of them excusing their mistake in giving someone pretending to be you some money that isn't theirs.

Answer

Having a common name actually makes it harder for you to clear your name from identity theft. Common named people have the same amount of risk that unique names do. Please give your child a middle name if that's what you desire. Also a middle name makes you unique in other ways and can prevent some other serious things from happening to your child like being sent to jail or harassed online because someone else has the same name as them.

Answer

I don't get this. Are you for real? Wouldn't a middle name HELP with identity theft? And honestly, I'm not going to change my child's name combo because of identity theft. ANYBODY can be a victim. Thieves don't care what your freaking name is.

Answer

All that explanation about how important middle names are to keeping you safer from identity theft....and you aren't giving your child a middle name? LOL. I'm pretty sure when my mother gave me mine she wasn't thinking about identity theft - that's not the reason most parents give a child a middle name.

Answer

????!!!!? U mean y you're NOT avoiding middle names ; this is confusing

Answer

But you're kinda fucked anyway if you have a unique last name so why not throw in a middle name I say

Answer

This is an interesting post, that coming from someone who's identity has been stolen, but middle names serve other identification purposes. Also, wouldn't it be equally helpful to have a fourth hidden middle name?

Then if it does get stolen and you only have two names, how hard is it to "fix" when there's 2 million other Sara Smiths out there.

Why We're Avoiding Middle Names

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