Are there red flags I should be looking out for to know if my kids identity was stolen?
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If you receive strange mail, calls, or messages with your child’s name, you should investigate immediately.
There’s, of course, a possibility that they just wound up on some spam lists, but these unsolicited communications are a huge red flag:
- Your child starts to receive bills in their name.
- Your child receives credit cards or pre-approved card offers in the mail.
- You start to receive calls from collection agencies asking for your child.
- Your child already has a credit file in their name. (You can check this by contacting the major credit reporting agencies — Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.)
- You get a notification from the IRS that your child’s name or SSN has been used on another tax return or that your child owes income taxes.
- Your child is denied government benefits.
- You receive age-inappropriate junk mail addressed to your child.
Taking fast action now can be a huge lifesaver for your child and family down the line. For more information and resources check out our 10 ways to protect your child from identity theft.
Other questions
My son told me that his best friend's family has an “internet agreement” - What is that? Should I have one?
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Family device and internet agreements are great mechanisms for getting on the same page with your child before allowing them to use the internet or get their own phone.
I think my daughter might be getting bullied online. What should I do?
We know it can be gut-wrenching to discover that your child is being cyberbullied, but there are steps you can take to help them find support.
How can I decide if an online game is safe for my child?
There are many questions you can ask yourself to determine if a game is safe for your child. Here are a few that our friends at Kidas recommend.
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