Powerful Tips for Parents • Keep your child’s sensitive documents in a safe place. • Don’t share your child’s Social Security number unless you know and trust the other party. Ask why the information is necessary and how it will be protected. • Shred all documents that contain your child’s personal information before throwing them away. • Don’t ever use your child’s name to open utility or other credit accounts. • Talk to your school-age child about the dangers of sharing personal data online. • Remind teenagers not to carry their Social Security card around in their wallet. • Watch for pre-approved credit cards and financial offers in your child’s name, which may be indicators that your child has an open credit file. • Contact each credit bureau regarding suppressing your child’s file. OVERCOMING IDENTITY THEFT If you suspect that your child’s information has been compromised, check to see if your child has a credit report. Contact each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies and ask for a manual search of your child’s file. Should your child’s credit report show a misuse of information, there are things you can do to begin repairing the damage: Sign up with a reputable service that will repair your child’s identity at no cost. Place a fraud alert on your child’s credit report with the credit reporting agencies. File a fraud report with the FTC online or call 877-438-4338. File a report with your local police department. Equifax 1-800-525-6285 Experian 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion 1-800-680-7289 1 2 3 4 11
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