Guarding Against Child Identity Theft: Vigilance is Key
A blog post by Cyber Search.
Understanding the Threat
Child identity theft might not be a topic that frequently crosses parents’ minds, but it’s a growing concern in the digital age. Children's personal information is just as valuable as adults', and it’s often even more vulnerable. Thieves can exploit a child’s clean credit history to open accounts, obtain loans, or apply for government benefits. Cyber Search offers tools that can help parents keep tabs on unauthorized use of their child’s personal information.
Recognizing the Signs
Detecting child identity theft can be tricky since children typically do not engage in activities that would require a credit check. However, there are subtle hints. You may receive bills or credit card offers addressed to your child, or perhaps an application for benefits is denied due to income reported under your child's Social Security number. Thankfully, services like Cyber Search can assist in conducting name or social media searches, which can be an initial step in pinpointing misuse of identity.
Taking Action
If you suspect that your child’s identity has been stolen, it’s crucial to act swiftly. You should contact credit reporting agencies, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and report the fraud to relevant creditors. Using Cyber Search’s name lookup feature, you can check for any unfamiliar activities or accounts opened under your child’s name that could indicate fraudulent activity.
Preventing Child Identity Theft
Protection is always better than a cure. Secure any documents that contain your child’s personal information, teach Internet safety, and be cautious about sharing your child’s Social Security number. Regular checks using Cyber Search’s name and social media searches can help monitor for signs of identity misuse online, acting as a digital safeguard for your family’s personal information.