Children are targeted because identity thieves can use a child’s Social Security numbers to establish a fraudulent «clean slate.» Identity theft experts recommend parents monitor their kids’ credit reports to check for identity theft as often as their own. Eight-year-olds have no reason to monitor their credit reports, and this has made them targets in recent identity theft crimes. Each member of the family should understand how to avoid identity theft. It seems like soon enough there won’t be anyone left who hasn’t suffered identity theft in one way or another. Today’s generation lives life on the internet, so it is wise to pay extra care in identity theft protection and save your child from becoming the next prey of identity hunters. While certain forms of identity theft like check fraud are on the decline the same cannot be said for other types like phishing websites which have seen a sharp increase. Some companies and agencies have pages on their websites where you can make a report. The 3 major agencies-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion-are required by law to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months, which means you can check your report for free 3 times throughout the year.
If you’re not the child’s parent, you may have to give the credit bureaus a copy of documents that prove you are the child’s legal guardian. And some are extremely low tech, such as going through your garbage or your mailbox. These are just three of the many cunning methods identity theft criminals use to steal identities, slip away undetected, and then reappear to use that information to their benefit. Identity theft is one of the scary realities of our world these days. When a credit reporting agency receives a freeze request, it must place the freeze within 3 days of the request, and provide a unique PIN to the consumer within 10 days of the request. Pay by cash or credit card. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly to make sure there are no suspicious charges on them. Most users of that information are from honest businesses — getting and giving legitimate information. Don’t carry your Social Security card with you, and be careful about giving out the number.
You need to reach out to all the affected creditors so that they can close your account(s). Find out from the credit bureaus how long they will keep the fraud alert active and how to extend it if you need to. Clark does not suggest hiring a credit repair service. This could happen if someone used your child’s Social Security number to get a credit card, open a cell phone account, or set up a utility service and has not paid the bills on time or at all. You’ll typically need to inform the Social Security Administration, the credit bureaus, your local police department, your bank and all creditors with whom you have accounts that have been affected. Instead, he suggests you contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling for targeted advice based on your situation. You have to contact each credit bureau and confirm your identity verification company to «thaw» or unfreeze your credit before you open any new accounts. Worse yet, recovering from identity theft takes a ton of time and effort. The face of identity theft can differ extensively. Identity theft affects millions of people each year. Use strong passwords-remember the best way to prevent identity theft is with a strong defense.
«This is a way to, in essence, lock your tax account, and the IP PIN serves as the key to opening that account,» said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. You should submit either a Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, or a police report alleging the identity theft, and include a copy of the IRS letter or notice if the IRS sends you a balance due notice, a refund offset notice, or a notice advising you of collection actions they have taken against you for a tax year that you didn’t file a return. Once in the program, this PIN must be used when prompted by electronic tax returns or entered by hand near the signature line on paper tax returns. Buy a paper shredder. So, beware of fake photos and videos, especially on social media. Crooks can also swipe your information from a job application, your email, or even from what you post on social media.