When you think about identity theft, you may picture a declined credit card, a fraud alert from your bank, or accounts you don’t recognize—problems most people associate with adults. What often gets overlooked is that children are prime targets, precisely because they aren’t actively using credit yet. That long window of “silence” makes stolen information easier to exploit (and harder to spot).
What Is Child Identity Theft?
Child identity theft happens when someone uses a minor’s personal information—like their Social Security number, name, or date of birth—without permission. Scammers may use that information to open credit cards, apply for loans, get government benefits, or even rent housing.
And, since children don’t typically check credit reports or apply for credit, child identity theft can go undetected for years. In most cases, people don’t discover the fraud until their child applies for student loans, a first apartment, or their first credit card.
Why Children Are Vulnerable
A child’s identity is especially valuable because it’s usually “clean,” meaning there’s no credit history to trigger red flags. Plus, a stolen Social Security number can be used again and again to open fraudulent accounts and loans.
Unfortunately, even well-meaning parents and grandparents can accidentally make a child’s sensitive information accessible to scammers by routinely filling out online forms, registrations, and apps that ask for more details than are truly necessary.
That information can also be exposed in a number of everyday ways, including:
- Data breaches involving schools, healthcare providers, or youth organizations
- Oversharing on social media (names, birthdays, school names, team photos)
- Lost documents or unsecured mail
- Family devices that aren’t properly protected
Signs Your Child’s Identity May Be Compromised
Child identity theft isn’t always obvious, but there are some warning signs to watch for. Collection notices or bills in your child’s name are clear red flags, but so is mail addressed to your child about credit cards, loans, or benefits. Here are a few more signs that your child’s data is compromised:
- Your child is denied government benefits because those benefits are already being used
- A credit report exists for your child (most minors should not have one at all)
- You get IRS notices stating a dependent has already filed a tax return
- You get calls from debt collectors asking for your child by name
- Your child receives medical bills or insurance statements that you don’t recognize
- You encounter errors when adding your child to health insurance or school records because their information doesn’t match what’s on file
- You get unexpected account verification emails or password reset notices tied to your child’s name or email address
- You’re told that a Social Security number is already associated with an online account when you try to create one for your child
Basically, if something feels off, don’t write it off as an innocent mistake. It’s worth doing some research, even if you’re not sure fraud has occurred.
How to Help Prevent Child Identity Theft
No method for preventing identity theft is foolproof, but there are a few proactive steps that can significantly reduce the risk:
1. Lock Down Social Security Numbers
Only share them when absolutely required, and, when you do, ask how the information will be stored and protected.
2. Limit What You Share Online
Birthdays, full names, schools, and locations can add up quickly.
3. Secure Important Documents
Store birth certificates and Social Security cards in a safe place, not a wallet or desk drawer.
4. Protect Family Devices
Use strong passwords, enable automatic updates, and avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi when accessing sensitive accounts.
5. Check for a Credit File
You can request a credit report for your child to confirm that no accounts exist in their name.
6. Consider a Credit Freeze
Some parents also choose to place a credit freeze on their child’s credit file, which can prevent new accounts from being opened without verification.
7. Talk to Your Kids About Identity Safety
Even young kids can learn basic identity safety. Then, as they grow, those lessons become part of their healthy financial habits. Start by explaining why passwords are private and why personal information shouldn’t be shared online or with strangers. Framing these conversations as everyday safety (rather than fear) helps kids feel empowered.
What to Do If It’s Already Happening
If you discover your child’s identity has been compromised, act quickly. It’s frustrating, but early action can limit long-term damage.
Start here:
- Contact the credit bureaus to report the fraud and request a credit freeze or fraud alert for your child.
- File an identity theft report with IdentityTheft.gov to create an official recovery plan.
- Report fraudulent accounts directly to the companies involved and request written confirmation when accounts are closed.
- Keep detailed records of calls, emails, reports, and reference numbers.
- Monitor your progress regularly and follow up to make sure fraudulent information has been removed and no new activity appears.
It may take time to fully resolve, but persistence and documentation help. If you need help thinking through next steps, reach out to our Contact Center or visit your nearest branch. Our team can help you understand your options, spot potential issues, and take action to help protect your (and your child’s) accounts.