In July 2007, Barbara Whitaker of The New York Times told the story of Gabriel Jiménez. Jiménez lost his identity to thieves when he was 11 years old. Now 25, he’s still cleaning up the mess. He may never get his credit score back.
What makes a child a preferred target?
For 2005, Federal Trade Commission records show 11,601 identity theft reports filed on behalf of victims under the age of 18. Minors are ideal targets for identity thieves: the younger the victim, the more time they have to exploit the child’s identity.
A crime like this can go unnoticed for years. Because? In general, the child does not assume credit obligations until age 18 or older. Only then does the child or her parent review her credit file.
rites of passage denied
Damage to lesser bears can be wide and deep. For example, you might be denied a credit card or a car loan. Worse yet, you may be forced to delay your education if your student loans are not approved. You may even lose job opportunities if prospective employers require a credit check.
Here’s the worst case scenario: a criminal can present the victim’s identity when arrested. Now the kid now has a criminal record even if the criminal leaves.
If you are a parent, you can…
1. Check your child’s credit report. Credit reporting agencies do not knowingly maintain children’s credit files. A credit check on your child shouldn’t turn up anything until he turns 18, unless he’s the victim of identity theft.
To obtain a credit report, you must contact the credit bureau through the mail by sending them your child’s:
- full name
- ADDRESS
- birthdate
- a copy of your child’s birth certificate
- a copy of your child’s social security card
The parent must also submit a copy of their own driver’s license or other government-issued proof of identity. Such proof must include a current residential address. Finally, parents must provide a current utility bill that also includes their home address.
Mail these items to the credit reporting bureaus at the addresses below. Please note that we recommend using certified mail with a receipt.
- Equifax, PO Box 740256, Atlanta, Georgia 30374
- Experian, PO Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion, PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834
2. Check for an earnings statement of the Social Security Administration. Unless your child is a victim of identity theft, there should be no income associated with their social security number. You can get the earnings statement by applying online at http://www.ssa.gov/. You can also call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 or visit your local office.
3. Protect social security numbers. Shred anything with a social security number on it. Keep all social security cards safe at home.
4. Warn your children Do not give out personal information unless it is vitally important. Explain to them that they should not provide such information. Even more so when they are online.
5. Be wary of credit offers to your children. If you see anything suspicious, notify the credit bureaus. Then, check your child’s credit report to find out if someone else is using their credit.
6. Get a police report. If someone hijacks your child’s identity, file a police report. Be sure to keep multiple copies on file. You will need the report to prove that your child is a victim.
7. Educate yourself. You can get more information by contacting the FTC at http://www.ftc.gov/ or by calling (877) IDTHEFT.
We are all in this together!
We all pay a price when criminals steal a child’s identity. Fortunately, parents are becoming more vigilant. And they are getting better at early detection of fraudulent activity. This allows us to protect the innocence of our youth.