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Babies with Bad Credit?

By Amy | July 26, 2007

No one is immune from identity theft, it seems.  Even children and infants are at risk for identity theft, according to a recent article in The New York Times.  According to the article:

The F.T.C. and privacy specialists caution against blowing the problem out of proportion.  Complaints involving children make up only bout 5 percent of the agency’s total reports of identity theft - which have been at the top of the consumer fraud list for the last several years - and much of the fraud involving children is the work of a parent or relative.

However, it’s important to make sure your child’s identification and personal information is as protected as an adult’s: 

Children’s identities are used in much the same way as those stolen from adults, as a basis for credit cards, bank accounts, utility service, insurance, even employment. In some instances, the culprit may live the life of a model citizen working, paying bills on time and providing few red flags to indicate that there is a problem.

In others cases, they may run up tens of thousands of dollars in bills, work and fail to pay taxes or develop a criminal history — with none of that becoming apparent to the victims until they are young adults.

“Protect your child’s information as carefully as you protect your own,” said Linda Foley, who founded the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego. “Jealously guard Social Security numbers and only give them out when vitally necessary.”

So is it necessary to go to the Credit Bureau to see if your child has a credit history?  Not necessarily.  It’s much more important to check your mail.  If you suddenly start receiving credit offers or collection notices for your child, that’s another matter.  Any activity of that nature deserves immediate attention, and warrants a check of your child’s credit history.  Be aware that a credit check on your child will require proof that the applicant is indeed the parent or guardian.  If you find a credit history exists, be sure to place a fraud alert immediately, and remember to renew it every 90 days.

Remember that you can be proactive and take steps to prevent this from happening.  Don’t give out your child’s social security number unless it is absolutely necessary.  If there is a request for a social security number on a form, don’t be afraid to ask if and why the number is required.  Also, remember to shred any old documents with sensitive information on them, leave your social security cards in a safe place not on your person, and don’t use a social security card for everyday identification purposes. 

Topics: Identity Theft, News, FYI |

One Response to “Babies with Bad Credit?”

  1. Social Security Swindle | BBB Consumer Education Says:
    August 13th, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    […] this is just yet another reminder (also see our post called Babies with Bad Credit?) to read all of your mail, no matter how tedious that may […]

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