Why would a scammer steal your child’s identity?
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. But criminals don’t only target adults with credit cards, solid credit scores, or savings accounts.
According to Javelin Strategy’s Child Identity Fraud study [*]:
One in 50 children were the victims of identity theft last year — with victims losing $918 million to child identity theft.
But why would an identity thief come after your child?
Unfortunately, scammers have discovered that they can use your child’s sensitive information — name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) — to take out credit cards, open loans, and more. And because few parents or legal guardians regularly monitor their children’s credit, the scams can go undetected for years.
Your child’s safety is every parent’s primary concern. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to identify the warning signs of child identity theft, what to do if you think your child’s identity has been stolen, and the best ways to prevent child identity theft before it happens.
Keeping your children safe from scammers
You might not think identity theft could happen to your child, but the sad truth is that it can. Criminals will stop at nothing to steal your child’s identity and take out credit or benefits in their name.
{{callout-box}}
For peace of mind and added protection, sign your family up for an identity theft protection service like Aura.
For further resources check out our articles:
The best thing you can do to protect your child now and in the future is secure their identity from scammers. Teach your kids about the dangers of identity theft and how to stay safe online.
You ask. We answer!
The online world is full of questions—and we’re here to help answer them. Submit a question here, and we’ll publish it (anonymously), with expert answers, tips, and insights. We'll also email you when your answer is available. While every family is different, your question could be a top concern for other parents. Understanding is a click away.
We aim to answer you as quickly as possible, typically within five business days. We’ll also email you a copy of the answer in addition to a link where you can view.
Our responses to your questions are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it.
