 TITLE: Who Qualifies as a Dependent for Taxes? CONTENT: Preventing Tax Time Identity Theft\n----------------------------------\nWhether you're claiming a child or relative as a dependent, let the tax season also be a reminder about the importance of keeping your personal information secure. Unfortunately, identity theft and the tax season can go hand-in-hand, as thieves may try and claim your tax refund for themselves.\nSome scammers may even go after children's personal information and attempt to take out a loan or open a credit card in the child's name. Experian offers a credit report check for minors that lets you see if your child has an Experian credit file. If one is found, that could be an indication of identity theft.\nIf you don't find anything, that's a good thing. But you can still take proactive preventive measures by freezing your child's credit file for free, which can help prevent someone from using your child's identity to open an account. END