 TITLE: What Is Child Identity Theft? CONTENT: What to Do if You Believe Your Child's Identity Has Been Stolen\n---------------------------------------------------------------\nIf you've confirmed that your child's identity has been compromised, try to remain calm. Depending on what type of information was stolen, there are a few different routes you can take to remedy the situation.\nIf your child's Social Security number was compromised, contact one or all of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) to lock your child's credit file and protect against fraudsters continuing to use their information. If an account was opened in your child's name, you'll also want to contact the bank or institution that the account was opened with. Be prepared with all the documents and evidence that will be needed to prove that your child is yours and that they did not open the account in question.\nIf another aspect of your child's information was taken, like their usernames or passwords, make sure they log in to all their online accounts and change their credentials as soon as possible. Also check that a hacker hasn't used any of their accounts for malicious purposes. Check for fraudulently sent emails and messages, because many times hackers will send malicious emails or messages from compromised accounts.\nOnce you've taken the appropriate steps to secure your child's credit reports and accounts, you should also consider reporting the identity theft to the proper authorities. You can make a report the illegal activity to the Federal Trade Commission. You can also contact the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization focused on helping victims of identity theft resolve their cases. END