Child Identity Theft
Posted on 08/17/2009 by Daniela Baumgarthuber
Child identity theft is rapidly rising in numbers, being that thieves are able to use children's credit without it being discovered for years. This can cause a lifetime of credit problems for any child implicated in the fraud once they turn 18. Child identity theft can be a result of either an isolated incident where a thief gained access to their information through common identity theft methods, or from a breach of security within an office or agency that safeguards personal records. Whichever is the case, child identity theft can still be avoided, and if it should happen, there are a number of things parents can do to restore their children's names.
How to protect against child identity theft
There are a number of things parents can do to ensure that their children's personal information is never compromised. Awareness and diligence are the keys when it comes to safeguarding against child identity theft. Below contains a list of precautions to take.
1) Parents should be extremely careful about the kind of information about their children they give out. Children's social security numbers and passports should be safely guarded, and they should never be carried around unless they are explicitly needed. Parents should not fill out their children's social security numbers on dental or medical applications - those spaces should be left blank.
2) Children's internet use should be monitored frequently. Many social networking sites require that minors enter in their personal information in order to sign up. Identity thieves can create fraudulent websites that mimic social networking ones in order to gain their personal information. Children should be alerted not to give out their personal details over the net.
3) Parents should keep their eyes open for red flags. These include credit card offers in their children's names and the existence of earnings reports.
4) Parents should obtain their children's credit scores. This can be done by writing to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and requesting a credit scores from each of them, if it exists.
5) Check children's Facebook and MySpace profiles for any personal information that might be displayed.
6) All confidential documents should be shredded before being tossed out. This includes any papers that may contain children's social security numbers.
7) Parents should request of their banks that a photo ID and password be required for all of their family banking transactions.
8) Parents should also consider investing in identity theft protection services. Several companies, such as LifeLock and TrustedID, offer protections services specifically designed for children and families.
How to recover from child identity theft.
If parents find that their children have become identity theft victims, there are a number of things they can do to restore their children's names. It is important for parents to act quickly and aggressively.
1) Parents should first run a credit score on their children's names. Parents are entitled to one free credit score per year from each of the three major credit bureaus.
2) If unauthorized activity has been discovered, parents should send a letter to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion individually listing all of the fraudulent items. A 30 day fraud alert should also be placed in their children's files. This will prevent thieves from opening up additional accounts.
3) File an identity theft report with the local police department. Police may require additional proof of fraud, so parents should be ready to supply them with any evidence, including credit card offers and credit scores.
4) Request that a long term fraud alert be placed in the children's names by contacting creditors directly. Parents will need to provide all creditors with a copy of their police report.
5) The Federal Trade Commission should also be notified of the identity theft. Parents can file a complaint with them, which will then be forwarded to other government agencies and companies for further action.
6) Parents should also contact all creditors listed on their children's credit scores, and inform them of the identity theft.
7) It is also important that all conversations and correspondences regarding the theft are documented consistently in case there are any disputes or requests for evidence.
8) Copies of all letters and documents should also be kept in a safe place.
Summary
Child identity theft is quickly growing, and poses great risks for targeted families. On average, victims of child identity theft have roughly $12,000 worth of fraudulent debt. It is important for parents to treat their children's information much in the same way they treat their own information in order to prevent identity fraud.
This means not giving out confidential information, obtaining yearly credit scores and finding out if their children have any earnings records in their names. If child identity theft should occur, parents must report any suspicions immediately to government authorities and creditors.