IDENTITY THEFT IS AN EVER-INCREASING THREAT …EVEN FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS. TEENS AND PRE-TEENS HAVE UNTOUCHED CREDIT RECORDS, MAKING THEM PRIME TARGETS FOR IDENTITY THEFT.
ONCE THEIR IDENTITY IS STOLEN IT CAN GO UNDETECTED FOR MONTHS, IF NOT YEARS.
WHAT CAN YOU DO, AS A PARENT, TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD’S IDENTITY?
WHEN SOMEONE REQUESTS YOUR CHILD’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, FOR ANY REASON, ASK WHY IT’S NEEDED, OR IF IT’S REQUIRED.
TALK TO TEENS ABOUT WHY THEY SHOULD NOT GIVE OUT THEIR PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO TELEMARKETERS …OR IN RESPONSE TO E-MAILS FROM UNKNOWN INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES.
And when in doubt, remember you can always check a business’ identity and background with your BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.
