A child’s Social Security number and identity can be stolen just as easily as an adult’s. Thieves use their SSNs to open up bank accounts, apply for government benefits, and even rent a place to live. As a parent, it’s important that you are proactive in not only protecting your own identity, but the identity of your children, too.

Recent research has shown that over 10.2 percent of children in the United States have had their identity stolen. Therefore, it is imperative that parents take precautions to protect their kids’ identities. Child identity theft results in:

• A poor credit score
• Higher interest rates and more difficulty being approved for loans/credit in the future
• Medical identity theft when medical records show they are using medications that identity thieves are actually taking
• Difficulty fixing errors, especially when they are years (or even decades) old

How to Spot Child Identity Theft

There are many ways to find out if your child’s identity has been stolen. If you notice these red flags, take action immediately. Some signs your child’s identity has been used fraudulently include, but are not limited to:

• Your child begins receiving pre-approved credit card notices or financial offers in the mail
• Your child already has a bank account open in his/her name
• A child’s application for a bank account is denied because of poor credit
• A credit report is already opened for your minor child

Risks For Child Identity Theft

Children are at high risk for identity theft because thieves thrive on the fact that most parents are not proactive at checking up on or protecting their child’s identity. Also, children are required to submit their Social Security number to physicians and even schools, which means there are multiple records with their personal information out there.

How to Prevent Identity Theft For Your Child

While there is no 100 percent guarantee you can protect your child’s identity, there are things you can do to limit the chances that they become a victim of identity theft in the future. Some things you can do to prevent child identity theft include:

• Sign up for an identity theft protection plan with a company like ID360, the only one that offers fully managed law enforcement grade recovery. ID360 will save you the extensive time and hassle it takes to contact the FTC, credit bureaus, banks, and other entities to begin the recovery process—leaving you free to live your life.
• Limit the availability of your child’s Social Security number. Be mindful of who asks for it, ask why it is being required, and how it is stored. For example, what happens to your child’s Social Security number after you provide it to a recreation center?
• Always keep your child’s personal documents safe, which includes prescription information, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and more.
• Check your child’s credit report annually to ensure that his or her Social Security number is not being used fraudulently.
• Be aware of family members and family friends who could steal your child’s identity. It sounds unconscionable, but there are countless examples of child identity theft occurring by people who are close to the family. For example, family members with poor credit history may see your child’s perfect credit as an easy way to get back on their feet.

To learn more about how you can avoid child identity theft, visit the identity theft prevention experts at The Identity Advocate. By taking steps to protect your child’s identity, you can ensure they have a long, healthy credit history.

Related Articles:

• Be Vigilant! Don’t let Your Children Become Victims of Identity Theft
• Is Your Social Media Profile Putting You at Risk For Identity Theft?
• Today’s Grave Robbers: Identity Theft and the Deceased

Tags: child identity theft, ID360, Identity Theft, identity theft protection plan, kids identity theft

This Entry was posted by Linda Vincent

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 / Identity Theft.
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