BBB warns: children continue to be heavily targeted by identity thieves

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania –According to a study published by Carnegie Mellon University CyLab, a cyber security research center, children are targeted by identity thieves 51 times more frequently than adults. Your Better Business Bureau encourages parents to regularly monitor their children’s credit report to prevent devastating damage to their future.

This CyLab study indicated identity thieves are targeting young children and using their unused Social Security numbers to steal their identity. Thieves steal Social Security numbers, attach a different name and birth date to it, and proceed to open credit cards and secure auto loans, student loans and home mortgages, among other things.

Children are easy targets because they typically do not start using their information until early adulthood, when applying for college, loans or their first credit card. As a parent, you can better protect your child’s identity by:

• Safeguarding your child’s personal information. Keep your child’s personally identifiable information, such as his or her Social Security card, date of birth and birth certificate, in a secure spot. Share your child’s Social Security number only when you know and trust the other party.
• Monitoring your child’s credit report. As soon as you get your child’s social security card you should start monitoring his or her report. www.annualcreditreport.com allows one free credit report a year for each credit-reporting agency.
• Keeping anti-virus software updated. Some savvy thieves create viruses designed to search computers for documents containing your child’s Social Security number.
• Safely disposing of personal documents. Shred all papers that include your child’s personal information before you throw them out. Delete computer files that you no longer need, and empty your online trash or recycle bin.

BBB System: BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about the BBB System.