How to Check Your Child’s Credit Report

Identity thieves target children’s Social Security numbers because children have no credit histories and because fraudulent activity may go unchecked for years.

Learning that your child is a victim of identity theft is a frightening experience, so what can you do to prevent it?

 

Start by recognizing the signs that your child is a victim of identity theft.

 

Warning signs include your child receiving:

• Credit card offers
• Bill payment notices
• and even debt collection calls.

Parents may want to consider checking their child’s credit report to verify that they are not a victim of identity theft. You can contact any of the three credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com to request a credit report in your child’s name.

 

If you notice an error, dispute the error right away with the credit bureau.

 

Resource of the Week

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has excellent child identity theft prevention resources for parents.

 

• How to protect your child from identity theft (pdf)
• How to protect vulnerable children from credit reporting problems
• How do I check a credit report for a youth in foster care