A new study shows that 1-million children had their identity stolen last year. Since the kids don’t have hardly any financial history or any existing online accounts, they’re becoming victim of new-account fraud. The study shows that parents and family friends are most likely the people committing the fraud.
- Check your child’s credit early. Michelle Dennedy, chief privacy officer of Cisco says to run a credit check and freeze a child’s credit while they’re young to prevent new accounts being opened.
- Teach your child safety and security online. Make sure they understand to never share their info on the Internet.
- Secure physical identification documents. This includes social security cards and birth certificates-make sure they’re locked away.
- Keep an eye on bullying. A child may be more susceptible to giving out info if they’re being bullied into it online or they can “mistake cruel gestures for friendship.”
Read the report here