Protecting your Child's Identity
You’ve probably already started taking precautions to protect yourself from identity theft, but did you know your child could be at risk also? Because their Social Security numbers (SSN) are so new and have no activity associated with them, it’s easy to associate a different name and birth date with them. Often times, identity thieves can use a child’s SSN for many years before the fraud is detected.
When someone asks for your child’s SSN, always question why it must be provided and how the agency will keep the information safe. If anyone asks for your child’s SSN over the phone, see if you can provide it in person instead. Criminals are cunning, and can lead you to believe they legitimately need access to this information. By providing this information in person, you could potentially avoid a scam to gain access to your child’s personal information.
Want another tip that works well for your SSN, too? When asked for your or your child’s SSN in public, type it into a calculator and show it to the requestor, instead of saying it out loud. When you’re finished, simply clear the display!
Even though it seems like a good precaution, both the Federal Trade Commission and the Identity Theft Resource Center discourage parents from checking their child’s credit report unless you have reason to suspect foul play. Checking a child’s report is different from checking your own credit report—there’s no congressionally mandated free report for a child, like adults are given through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Experts recommend checking your child’s credit report at age 16. If fraudulent activity has occurred, there’s generally enough time to get the negative information corrected before applying for financial aid.
For more information about protecting your child's privacy, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website.
