Montana News

Identity thieves targeting children

Posted: Oct 11, 2012 5:20 PM by Melissa Anderson - MTN News

HELENA - Identity theft doesn't just affect adults - thieves are now targeting children.

In fact, some reports indicate that children are victimized 51 times more than adults.

The Better Business Bureau says it's not only a good idea to check your own credit report regularly, but also your children's, even if they don't have a credit rating yet.

BBB Montana spokeswoman Colleen Smith explained, "Check your children's Social Security numbers because that's the big thing now, is scammers are stealing children's identities because nobody is looking at it until they are 18, and they go to apply for a student loan and then they find out that their credit has been trashed. So make sure you check your children's credit reports as well."

To check your child's identity, you can go through an identity protection company called ALL CLEAR ID for a free child ID screen.

Some tips include not giving out information about your child if you don't have to, watch for mail received in your child's name, and teach your kids about online safety.

Click here to learn more.