As odd as it may sound, the Indiana Department of Revenue is asking individuals to check their children’s credit reports, regardless of their age.
Identity thieves are always looking for identities that can be used for many years which is why children are typically seen as apt targets since thieves can to use their information unnoticed for a while.
Often times the theft is not discovered until the child grows up and applies for a student loan or a credit card and gets denied for having large amounts of debt or bad credit; it is only then that they realize their identity has been stolen and used for several years.
To prevent this from happening to your child, the IDOR tells parents to refrain from carrying their child’s social security card with them and they suggest that parents check their child’s credit report annually.
If parents recognize that identity theft has occurred early enough, they will have time to correct any errors on the report before it affects a child’s chance of getting a job, taking out a college loan or receiving a credit card.
Additionally, before sharing any of a child’s personal information, ask why it is needed and how it will be protected and be sure that you’re providing those details to a legitimate source. Don’t be afraid to ask for proof that the information will be protected. There’s no such thing as asking too many questions when it comes to protecting your child’s identity.
If you fear that you or your child have been victims of identity theft, follow the link provided for additional IDOR resources related to identity theft.
