| Despite much interest in the press about identity theft, | | | | All children born in the United States are given a social |
| one area that gets little attention is probably the | | | | security number (SSN). This is used to obtain health |
| fastest growing demographic of identity theft victims - | | | | insurance and various other benefits. It is also used by |
| children. At birth all children are given a valid social | | | | the parents to get rebates and allowances on their |
| security number but because this is rarely used during | | | | taxable income. The social security number also gets |
| their childhood it is particularly vulnerable to identity | | | | the child into the system. As he/she grows up, the |
| theft. Most families don't monitor their children's social | | | | SSN may be used when registering with a doctor, |
| security numbers and credit reports. Thus they are ripe | | | | joining a new school or any number of other activities. |
| for criminal pickings. A criminal will assume the details | | | | In fact, this very important number can spread all over |
| and use it to get credit cards and other means of | | | | the place and leaves the child open to identity theft. |
| obtaining finance and then use it fraudulently. When the | | | | This is often compounded by the fact that parents |
| child grows up and looks into getting a credit card or | | | | rarely check their child's credit report. Why would you, |
| checking their credit report they may get a shock. | | | | since the child shouldn't have a credit history. So it is |
| They may struggle to get credit or have credit | | | | often ignored or overlooked until they reach an age |
| applications declined. They then have to set about | | | | where they need credit or want to buy things on |
| restoring their good name and re-establishing a good | | | | credit. |
| credit record. This can take years and much hard | | | | Checking your child's credit records are more difficult |
| work that should be unnecessary if proper precautions | | | | than your own. In most cases you have to send a |
| are taken. This article will cover this situation in detail | | | | letter via the mail to ask for the information. Thus |
| and suggest some simple steps that can be | | | | many people will never get round to checking or |
| implemented to protect your children from identity theft. | | | | monitoring their children's credit information. |
| Child Identity Theft | | | | |