Protecting Your Child's Identity
ATLANTA -- Most of us get credit card applications in the mail.
But have you ever gotten one with your child's name on it and think, how'd that happen?
The answer could surprise you, and it could mean big trouble.
Identity thieves have gotten very good at getting kids' personal information, sometimes before they're even born.
Imagine a driver's license in a baby's name. It's already happened, many times.
And if you think grown-ups are the biggest target of identity thieves, think again. A study by Carnegie Mellon says criminals are targeting children more and more.
In fact, one in 10 kids is a victim of identity theft, often by a relative. The crime can go undetected for more than a decade. By then, the fallout can be catastrophic, preventing a young adult from get a loan, a job or an apartment. Plus, they're on the hook for the money that's owed until they go through the arduous task of trying to prove they're a victim.
"Parents have to really stay on top of things," "They have to talk to their children about where they're going online, and to tell them as soon as they possibly can, don't give out their Social Security number. Most of them don't even know what that is, but parents need to educate them and tell them not to do that."
Signs that your child's future's been hacked:
* They receive pre-approved credit card applications.
* A credit report already exists in their name.
* When they turn 18, they can't open a new account because of previous bad credit.
Some tips to prevent or fix the problem:
* Get ID Theft Restoration through LegalShield. It's a very low cost ID Theft product.
* Contact the credit agencies, but only every few years. Too much contact could inadvertently generate a bad credit report.
* Put a credit freeze on your credit report, so no one can open up a new line of credit in your name or your child's name.
Richard Figley
Independent Associate
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