When you think of identity theft, you may not immediately think of children as victims. Sadly, children are included in the 9 million Americans estimated by the Federal Trade Commission to have their identities stolen each year. Even more disturbing is the fact that the perpetrator may be a family member or a person known by the family. Children are targeted by identity thieves because the crime often goes undetected until the child reaches legal age. As a parent or guardian, you can help protect your child’s good name and deter identity thieves by taking the following protective measures:

• Do not carry your child’s Social Security card or number in your wallet.
• Teach your children not to give out personal information over the phone.
• Do not give out any of your child’s personal information over the Internet unless you are sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company.
• Be aware of who has access to your child’s personal information at school or day care and verify that access is strictly controlled.
• Use a cross-cut or diamond-cut shredder to dispose of all personal and financial records that are no longer needed.

Warning signs that your child may be a victim of identity theft include unsolicited credit offers, a bill in your child’s name, a Social Security Administration account statement or an existing credit report for your child. As the credit reporting agencies typically do not keep a credit report file on minors, if there is one, that may be a clear warning sign that someone has been using your child’s identity to get credit. If any of the credit bureaus sends you a report, call the credit bureau at the number on the report. Explain that the report is associated with a minor who does not have a credit history. The credit bureau will help you being the process of clearing your child’s credit records.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, adult/child victims typically find out in the same manner as adult victims of identity theft, when they:

• Are denied credit, mortgage or loan for a vehicle or college tuition
• Are unable to open a bank or checking account
• Receive collection notices in the mail or by telephone
• Are denied tenancy, utility or phone service
• Are denied driver’s license renewal
• Are discharged form a job or continually and without explanation denied employment
• Have been receiving bills or credit cards they never requested
• Are arrested for an activity they never committed
• Are denied SSI or welfare services

For more information on identity theft, Springboard’se book, ID Theft: Protecting and Restoring Your Good Name, is available for free download.

Photo: lightfalling

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