We all know that identity theft in adults is a very real and scary issue, but child identity theft is especially threatening as it can potentially go undetected for years, making it a prime target for criminals.

Identity theft, also known as credit fraud, occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name or Social Security number, without your permission to commit fraudulent activities. Below you will find some important steps and information on how to help protect the children in your family from identity theft.

1. Monitor Personal Information

Keep track of the child's personal information, such as Social Security number, date of birth, and any documents containing this information. Store sensitive documents securely. Consider using a locked safe or safety deposit box.




2. Check for Warning Signs

Be vigilant for any warning signs of child identity theft, such as receiving pre-approved credit card offers in the child's name, calls from debt collectors, or any other suspicious fraud like activity. It’s important to follow up on anything you think isn’t right, dismissing even the smallest incident might end up being your biggest regret.




3. Limit Sharing of Personal Information

Identity thieves are lurking everywhere so be cautious about sharing a child's personal information, especially on social media. Avoid posting details such as full names, birthdates, and school information publicly. This includes photos that have your house number in the background, a street sign, the school name, etc.




4. Educate the Child

Teaching children about the importance of protecting personal information and the risks associated with sharing it online is extremely important, but the information you share and discuss with them will vary by age. Here are some age-appropriate ID theft prevention strategies and tips for teaching children about personal information:

For Young Children (Ages 3-7)

• Explain the concept of personal information using simple and age-appropriate language. For example, you can say, "Personal information is like a secret. We only share it with people we trust, like Mom, Dad or a teacher."
• Help them memorize and understand basic personal details, such as their full name, home address and parent's names.
• Identify trusted adults in their life and emphasize that personal information is shared only with these individuals.
• Use role-playing games to practice scenarios where they might be asked for personal information. Teach them how to respond safely.
• Explain the importance of privacy and how keeping certain information private helps keep them safe from bad actors.

For Older Children (Ages 8-12)

• Introducing the concept of online safety. Discuss the potential risks of sharing personal information on the internet and social media.
• Help them understand what information is considered private and should not be shared online or with strangers.
• Teach them the importance of respectful online behavior, including being mindful of what they share and how they communicate.
• Explain that some people may try to trick them into sharing personal information. Teach them to be cautious and to verify the identity of individuals or requests.
• Teach them how to create strong and unique passwords for online accounts. Emphasize the importance of not sharing passwords with friends.
• Discuss the concept of consent and personal boundaries. Teach them to recognize when it's okay to say "no" and to respect others' boundaries as well.

For Teens (Ages 13 and older)

• Discuss the implications of sharing personal information on social media. Teach them to review privacy settings and be cautious about what they post.
• Emphasize the importance of safeguarding their driver’s license, birth certificate, bank cards, school IDs, Social Security cards, and any other documentation that can prove how old they are, or who they are.
• Explain the risks of identity theft and how safeguarding personal information is crucial for financial and personal security.
• Talk about the potential risks of sharing real-time location information and help them understand when it's appropriate or not.
• Discuss the concept of an online reputation and how the things they post or share online can have long-term consequences.
• Educate them about common online scams and phishing attempts. Teach them to recognize warning signs and avoid falling victim to scams.
• Reinforce the importance of respecting others' privacy and not pressuring friends to share personal identifiable information.
• Create an open and non-judgmental space for them to share their online experiences and concerns. Encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything uncomfortable or suspicious.

5. Check Credit Reports

While children typically don't have credit reports until they apply for credit, it's a good practice to check for any suspicious activity. Products like Experian CreditCenter track key changes to credit reports and send alerts when credit inquiries are detected. You can contact the major credit bureaus to inquire if a credit report exists for the child.




6. Freeze the Child's Credit

Consider placing a credit freeze on credit reports for the child. This can prevent identity thieves from opening accounts using the child's information.





Reach out to each of the major credit bureaus individually: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Explicitly request a credit freeze for the child’s Social Security number. This will restrict access to their credit report and prevent accounts from being opened in their name.




7. Use a Trusted Identity Monitoring Service

Consider using a monitoring service that offers identity protection for children’s identities. These services can alert you to any suspicious activities and help you mitigate potential damage.





Some identity monitoring services offer identity theft insurance as part of their packages. This insurance may cover certain expenses related to recovering from identity theft, such as legal fees or lost wages.





Look for a service that offers comprehensive monitoring features, strong security measures and a clear process for resolution in the event of identity theft. Additionally, review the terms, costs and any limitations associated with the service.




8. Be Skeptical of Requests for Personal Information

Be cautious about providing the child's personal information, even to seemingly legitimate organizations. Phishing attacks can be tricky to identify, and protecting yourself against them is important for successfully keeping children safe online. Be sure to verify the legitimacy of requests before sharing sensitive details.




9. Keep Software and Security Measures Updated

Keeping your security software updated is essential to ensure protection against the latest threats and vulnerabilities. Security software updates often include patches to fix known vulnerabilities. Regularly updating the child’s antivirus, anti-malware and other security tools helps safeguard their device against potential exploits.





Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and new types of malware and other malicious activities emerge regularly. Updated security software is designed to detect and mitigate these new threats.





Another way to ensure continuous protection is to enable automatic updates for your security software whenever possible. This requires zero manual intervention.




10. Regularly Review Financial Statements

If a child has a bank account or receives any financial statements, you should be sure to regularly review them. Verify that all transactions listed on financial statements are accurate. This includes deposits, withdrawals, purchases and any fees or charges.

It's crucial to be proactive in protecting the identities of the children in your family. By taking these steps, you can help reduce the risk of child identity theft and detect any potential issues early on. Regular monitoring and education are key components to help safeguard a child's personal information.