Child ID Theft
WE HAVE ALL HEARD OF IDENTITY THEFT.. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR CHILD'S ID CAN BE HIJACKED... THEIR PERFECT CREDIT, RUINED AND UNDETECTED.
WE KNOW ADULTS ARE TARGETS FOR I-D THEFT.. BUT WE WERE FLOORED TO LEARN THEIVES' LATEST TARGETS.
IT'S SCARY.. BUT TRUE..
A CHILD'S CREDIT IS PERFECT.. AND SCAMMERS KNOW IT.
THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW TO PROTECT YOUR KIDS' FINANCIAL FUTURE
PARENTS SHOULD STOP WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND REALLY LISTEN TO THIS NEXT STORY...
WIS-TV's HANNAH HORNE SHOWS US WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO DETECT A SCAM.
CREDIT IS NO CHILD'S PLAY...
BUT SCAMMERS ARE OUT THERE, LOOKING FOR THE INNOCENCE OF YOUTH ON PAPER.. AND ON LINE..
"you have no problems, no one asks questions, it's perfect"
MARIA AUDAS FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS SAYS THIEVES GO LOOKING FOR THAT FLAWLESS CREDIT REPORT..
THEY CAN WREAK HAVOC FOR YEARS.. AND YOU'LL NEVER KNOW..
UNLESS.. YOU ACT NOW...
"go ahead an check your child's credit report. They shouldn't have any ? No line items no inquiries for loans.
IF SO... THIEVES HAVE PROBABLY GOTTEN AHOLD OF THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
PARENTS SHOULD TAKE GREAT CARE IN PROTECTING THAT INFORMATION.
"lock it away in a safe place that only parents know about it. Kids don't need it until they look for credit."
AND IT SHOULDN'T COME LOOKING FOR THEM..
WATCH FOR CREDIT CARD OFFERS ADDRESSED TO YOUR YOUNG PERSON...
AND BE CAUTIOUS OF IF EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES OR SPORTS DEMAND A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
YOU CAN ALSO PLACE A FREEZE ON YOU OR YOUR CHILD'S CREDIT.. AT NO COST.. LOCKING OUT A THIEF FROM ROBBING A CHILD'S FINANCIAL FUTURE.
"Obviously a child doesn't need credit and placing a freeze can make sure that no one else can."
