Child Identity Theft

Everyone talks about identity theft as if it’s purely a problem for grownups, but did you know children are 51 times more vulnerable to identity theft than their parents are? Here’s all you need to know about child identity theft, including potential warning signs and what to do next.

What is child identity theft?

Child identity theft happens when someone steals your child’s identity, usually by stealing their Social Security number or birth date. The crime could be committed by a stranger, but nearly 75% of child identity thefts are perpetrated by a relative or family friend who has credit problems of their own.

Once your child’s information is stolen, the thief could use it to open credit cards, take out loans, or even claim taxes.

Warning signs

Watch for these possible indications:

• Is your child receiving pre-approved credit card offers in the mail?
• Is your child receiving bank, credit card, or other financial statements in the mail even though there shouldn’t be an account open in their name?
• Is your child receiving phone calls or letters from collection agencies?

If one of these warning signs or other suspicious activity has you concerned, contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to investigate.

How to investigate

While adults can easily request a free annual credit report online, credit agencies do not knowingly maintain credit files for children. If you think someone is using your child’s personal information, you will need to contact the agencies directly. Here’s the information you’ll need to provide:

• Your child’s full name, address, and birth date.
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate and/or Social Security card.
• Your driver’s license to verify your identity.
• A copy of a utility bill to verify your address.

Once your information is received, the agencies will verify whether a credit file exists for your child. They’ll inform you in writing of their findings and any actions that have been taken.

In the case of suspected child fraud, it is a good thing to hear that a credit file does not exist for your child! If one does exist, request all three credit agencies place a fraud alert and/or credit freeze on the account to prevent further damage to your child’s credit. You should also report the crime to the FTC immediately. If the crime involves taxes, alert the IRS as well.

How to prevent child identity theft

Every year, 1 in 10 children are victims of identity theft. Don’t let your child be one of them! Follow these tips to keep your family safe.

• Supervise your child’s internet use. Studies show unsupervised internet usage at a young age exposes children to unnecessary risks, including identity theft.
• Keep your child’s SSN private, when possible. Schools, camps, and doctor’s offices can all be vulnerable to data breaches, and they should never need your child’s SSN as a form of identification.
• Securely store identification documents. Keep all birth certificates, Social Security cards, and passports in a secure, locked location.

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