BBB warns: children continue to be heavily targeted by identity thieves - Pittsburgh Parent Sections Family Life Resource Directories Calendar of THINGS TO DO Topics Crafts SteamForward Community Spotlight Parent to Parent Profile Connect E-Blast Signup Pittsburgh Parent Search E-Blast Signup Family Life Resource Directories Calendar of THINGS TO DO Crafts SteamForward Community Spotlight Parent to Parent Profile BBB warns: children continue to be heavily targeted by identity thieves December 19, 2012 Pittsburgh Parent 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. This article appears in the BBB warns: children continue to be heavily targeted by identity thieves issue of Pittsburgh Parent. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Linkedin Related Park 'til Dark North Park Heinz Endowment helping empower Pittsburgh’s PostPartum support system How do I get my child excited to learn chess? Popular Articles Spending time together - Benefits of family time How to leave a relationship with a child involved Tips for parents on identifying drug smells How to deal with an angry child after divorce What Causes A Baby to be Born Deaf? The tooth is connected to the...Everything! Resource Directories After School & Enrichment Activities Camps Childcare & Preschool Community Services Education Family Attractions & Places To Go Health Party Special Needs Read Our Magazine Issue Archive Contact Us Advertise With Us Contact Information About Us Contact Us Write For Us Advertise With Us Meet Our Staff Looking For Family Life Resource Directories Calendar of THINGS TO DO Camps Childcare Crafts Education Enrichment Health Parenting Party Recipes Special Needs Connect Read Our Magazines E-Blast Signup Submit an Event Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter © 2022 Pittsburgh Parent. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Close Share Toggle Fullscreen Zoom in/out Previous Next