How to Protect Your Kids from Identity Theft

a child in a superhero costume and boxing gloves

Children are increasingly becoming targets for identity theft because their personal information often goes unchecked for years.

Why Are Kids at Risk?

Children’s Social Security numbers are valuable to thieves, who can use them to open accounts, apply for government benefits, or commit fraud without detection.

Warning Signs of Child Identity Theft:

  • Denial of government benefits due to existing accounts.
  • Collection notices or credit offers addressed to your child.
  • Issues when opening a bank account for your child.

How to Protect Your Child:

  1. Safeguard Personal Documents: Store birth certificates, Social Security cards, and medical records in a secure place.
  2. Monitor Their Credit: Request a manual search of your child’s credit report to ensure no accounts exist.
  3. Educate Your Child: Teach them to avoid sharing personal information online or with strangers. Check out this podcast from our partners at The Art of Allowance Project to help get the conversation started: 

What to Do If Your Child’s Identity Is Stolen:

Report the theft to the credit bureaus and file a report at IdentityTheft.gov. Consider freezing their credit until they are older.