Precautions for Child Identity Theft
You may be asking yourself, “Who steals a child’s identity?” The fact is, however, that tens of thousands of stolen identities every year belong to children. In this article, we will discuss child identity theft, how to avoid it, and what to do if you or your child’s identity has already been stolen.
Why do thieves target children
Identity thieves often target children because kids do not use their credit until they get older. Because of that fact, children and their parents go years without noticing that anything is wrong. This gives the thief plenty of time to get away with their crimes. Sadly, by the time children catch on to the fact that there is a problem, their credit is often ruined and the thief is long gone. Often times, however, it is the victim’s parents or another family member that uses the child’s good credit to put food on the table and pay the bills. It is also common that the thief is a school employee or another trusted organization that steals a child’s credit.
How to prevent child identity theft
Follow these simple steps to prevent your child from getting his or her identity stolen.
1. Shred any documents that have your child’s personal information before you throw them away. Identity thieves often go through people’s trash to find private information.
2. Don’t give out your child’s personal information to anyone, including relatives, without first receiving proof that identity theft isn’t occurring. If your child’s SSN is required on a form, leave that part blank unless the organization specifically asks about it. Summer camps, daycares, and recreational facilities do not need this information. When dealing with your child’s identity, you can’t trust anyone.
3. Check your child’s credit report every year or so. Children under 13 aren’t supposed to have credit reports so if they do, then someone may have stolen their identity. Continue to check their credit report annually until they turn 18.
4. Don’t keep your child’s Social Security card on you. If you happen to be mugged or you somehow lose the card, anyone could use your child’s credit to file for a large loan or high-limit credit card. Keep your child’s Social Security card locked away until you need it.
What to do if your child’s identity has been stolen
If your child’s identity has already been compromised, you will need to call up the credit bureaus and report the incident. Explain to the credit bureaus that you and your child are at no fault and that all penalties should be erased from your child’s credit report. You may also want to file a police report but chances are, you won’t be able to catch whoever did this to your child. By staying aware and educated on these matters, however, you can help to prevent this kind of theft from happening again.
Personal finance professional Cheryl Graves helps consumers use their free credit report to build a credit history and improve their credit score. Find out more at http://www.thecredittruth.org/Distributed by http://www.ContentCrooner.com
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