Identity Theft and Children

Excerpt from Identity Theft, A Resource Guide

Sadly, many children do become victims of identity theft.  In some cases, their information is stolen and sold on the black market.  In other cases, a family member or even parent uses the child's information to open new revolving credit accounts, establish utility services, etc.  Many of these children do not discover they have been victims until they are adults which can make cleaning up their records or finding the culprit even more difficult.

You can protect your child by taking many of the same precautions we've discussed preiously in this book.  For example, make sure you shred any document or piece of mail that contains your child's personal information.  You should also not carry your child's social security number in your purse or wallet unless it is absolutely necessary.  Keep your child's birth certificate and social security card in a secure location at home, perferably in a locked box, or in a safety deposit box at your local bank.

Additionally, your child may unknowingly put themselves at risk for identity theft by giving out their personal information too easily in person and on the Internet.  It's a good idea to discuss identity thefit and its consequences with them, so they'll understand why they should take precautions.  You can learn more about childhood identity theft, including how to start cleaning up a child's financial records, by reading “Identity Theft and Children” at http://www.idtheftcenter.org/vg120.shtml.

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