Did You Realize that Children are Prime Targets for Identity Theft?

As a matter of fact – one in forty children under the age of 18 has already been compromised.   With clean credit histories they’re seen as Easy Marks for fraudsters and  this can lead to literally YEARS of financial burdens BEFORE that theft is even discovered,

Here’s how you can protect your child’s identity:

Monitor Their Credit: Request a credit report for your child. If they have a credit report, it’s a red flag.

Keep Personal Info Secure: Store your child’s Social Security card, birth certificate, and other personal documents in a safe place.

Teach Online Safety: Educate your child on the importance of not sharing personal information online.

Be Cautious with Forms: When filling out school or medical forms, ask why personal information is needed and how it will be protected.

Freeze Their Credit: Consider placing a credit freeze on your child’s file to prevent fraudsters from opening new accounts in their name.

Taking these steps TODAY can save your child from a lot of headaches in the future.  If you suspect that you or your child are the victim of identity theft, contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office immediately.  Let’s keep kids safe and protect their identities!

A message from Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver – and – from all of us here at WEIS Radio.