Protecting Your Child's Identity: What You Need to Know About Child Identity Theft

Did you know that child identity theft is one of the most common types of cybercrime? Criminals are always looking for sensitive personal information, such as a child's Social Security number. When this information is stolen, it can be used to fraudulently obtain services and benefits. It's essential to protect your child's identity and educate them about how to stay safe online. In this blog post, we will discuss what you need to know about child identity theft and how to keep your child's information safe.

Risk of ID theft for infants and young children

There is a higher risk of identity theft for children under 18. This is because criminals are looking for Social Security numbers (SSNs), which are typically not issued until a child is older. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable, as their personal information is not as well protected as it should be. In fact, one in four children has their identity stolen before they turn 18.

How to protect your child's identity

Parents who are fighting identity theft may seem powerless, but there are things they can do to assist their children as soon as possible:

· Keep a close eye on their SSN: Their SSN can be utilized to fill out a variety of forms for schools, doctors, and extracurricular activities. Inquire about how your child's SSN will be used, if it will be kept securely, and whether the individuals who request it from you really need it.

Run a free security scan in a few clicks

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.

· Teach them how to safeguard their personal information: Children need to be taught early on about protecting their personal information. This includes not giving out to just anyone their name, address, phone number, or SSN. They should also be aware of phishing scams and never click on links or download attachments from emails that they don't recognize.

· Check for credit or financial offers in the mail: It's likely that your kid's identity has been stolen if they start receiving credit or financing solicitations in the mail. Finding

suspicious letters like this might aid you in detecting instances of ID theft and reporting them.

· Monitor their online activity: It is important to monitor your child's online activity, especially if they are using social media platforms. You should be aware of the websites they are visiting and the people they are communicating with online. Talk to them about why it is important to keep their personal information confidential.

· Create a family disaster plan: If your child's identity is stolen, it is important to have a family disaster plan in place. This should include contact information for all your financial institutions, as well as the police and the FTC. You should also create an emergency fund to help cover any expenses that may arise due to identity theft.

Child identity theft is a serious crime that can have long-term consequences for the child. It is important to be proactive in protecting your child's identity and educate them about how to stay safe online. Thank you for reading!

Run a free security scan in a few clicks

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.