Several hospitals in Pennsylvania made a recent decision on a long tradition of the New year has turned some heads. While it is common for first babies born on 1 January to have their names published in the local newspapers, hospitals in the Richmond area, AP decided to jump on. The reason? A fear of new babies being taken from the hospital and the private lives of families invaded. While this fear is not groundless, it is also not entirely realistic. However, something that deserves to be discussed at the publication of the names of newborns - or children in total - is stealing the child's identity. We talk a lot of adults whose identity is stolen, but children under 18 are having more and more their identities stolen.
What is the child's identity theft?
Although the child identity theft is quite similar to adult identity theft, it can be much more damaging. A study in 2012 by the Identity Theft Assistance Center, children under 18 years are at high risk of having their identities misused in any form. About 2.5% or 1/40 households in the US with children under 18 identity fraud experience at some point. Worse, the child's identity theft is much harder to identify and resolve that identity theft adult, as noted by the same study, which revealed that 17% of victims under 18 were assaulted for at least a year or more. This is because children, unlike adults, do not have them checked regularly take credit or loans or credit cards. You might not even be aware of your child's identity has been stolen until your child is denied their first credit card or your family is denied benefits or coverage for a medical procedure.
One of the most popular for the identity of your child being stolen is for his social security number to be combined with a different date of birth means. This creates a synthetic identity thief can then use for a number of purposes. It is also not uncommon for friends or family members to use the identity of a child to open credit card accounts or take out a mortgage. This is known as "friendly fraud" and, according to the study of the ITAC, representing over 70% of cases of child identity theft. No matter how fraud is committed, often when it is discovered, it is too late. - The child's credit history is destroyed
How do I know if my child's identity was stolen
According to the FTC, some of the warning signs to look for include: Notifications from the IRS that your child did not pay income tax (or her social security number was used on another income tax), recovery of bills or invoices for services or products that you do not get the name of your child and being turned down for government benefits, for an account using the social security number for your child already exists.
How can I keep my child safe?
There are a number of ways you can help keep the child's identity theft becoming a stain on the life of your child.
1. Do not give your child's information unless absolutely necessary. Often, social security numbers are required on forms as an easy identifier. However, you can not be certain how this information will be used or the form will be stored. Even computer records are not always safe - as evidenced by the Community Health Systems data breach last year. If you are prompted to provide the Social Security number for your child, do not be afraid to ask questions: How the information will be used, how long it will be stored, how it is stored, how it will be eliminated, etc. You can always ask to provide another identifier, or just leave it blank social security line when completing the forms at a doctor's office or in another location, including your child's school.
2. Store documents containing personal information safely. This includes any document that contains the date of birth, full name or Social Security number for your child. Do not wear a birth certificate or social security card around. Instead, purchase a fire safety lock box, safe or filing cabinet lock to keep sensitive documents. Unfortunately, the child identity theft is often in the hands of family or friends, so it is wise to never leave this information where it can be easily copied by those outside your immediate family.
3. Discard the documents safely. Regarding documents containing your child's information that you do not intend to keep, just throw them in the bin will not be enough to deter a criminal. Many scammers target bins hoping to find mail and other documents they can make inquiries. Keep one step ahead by shredding your documents before they hit the pan. Make sure you get a cross-cut shredder, which will destroy the papers completely so they can not be restored back together by all identity thieves.
4. Talk to your child about online information sharing. Children these days are getting online at shockingly young age, which can lead to all sorts of trouble. As soon as your child is old enough to access the Internet, have a conversation about what is and is not acceptable to share - ideally, children should never be sharing their names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth or any other identifying information. It's also wise to talk to your kids about to provide this information on forms to school. Ask them to provide any form requesting sensitive information at home for your approval, if they can.
5. Be aware of what information is shared by your child's school. Under the Law on the Protection of the man of the family and the federal education, you have the right to withdraw from sharing contacts and other directory information with third parties. Look all forms coming home with your child or your e-mail from school carefully, making sure that you know how and what information will be used and shared. Find out what information is collected directory - this can include name, address, phone number, photo and date of birth your child's school - and opt out of sharing with others if you can. Also, make sure you know what your child's activities is involved. Extracurricular activities and programs sponsored by the school may disclose information that is not directly governed by your child's school. It is important to always know what information is out there and take what you can to better protect your child.
What service identity theft is the best to protect your family?
One of the best ways to protect the identity of your child is to sign for identity theft protection. These services can monitor your child's information so that you might not be able to warn you of any fraud that has been detected and help restore the identity and if fraud recovery process was to have place. Many services offer coverage for children and families, but we found Identity Guard, AARP and TrustedID to be the best choice for those looking to protect their children or grandchildren, and themselves.
plane family Identity Guard allows two adults and up to 15 children in the same household to receive coverage for $ 24.99 / month. The plan provides comprehensive protection for both adults including 3-bureau credit report monitoring, public records and scans, as well as safe for children KID followed. This protection monitors your child's information on criminal records, DMV records and utility records and analyzes of social security exposure of your child's number on the black market on the Internet, providing alerts if something suspect is detected.
TrustedID offers a family plan that covers two adults and an unlimited number of children living in the same household for only $ 18 / month with annual prepayment option. Although it does not extend 3-bureau monitoring credit report or reports and credit scores to ordinary children, TrustedID provides oversight on the black market of the Internet and public records to ensure the name, address of your child and the social security number is not misused or sold. TrustedID also offers a medical record protection, a feature few other services offer.
If you are 50 or older, you might consider AARP TrustedID. Members can register for a family plan that provides coverage for two adults and two children or grandchildren under 25. The cost of this plan is $ 17.50 / month when paid annually, and you can add other children or grandchildren for a $ 5 / month extra per child. The service will monitor your child or grandchild of the information on the websites black market, background check and people search and provide alerts if fraudulent activity is detected.
Still not sure which service to choose? Read our full reviews of protection against identity theft to help make your mind.