A social security number should be a person’s most-guarded piece ofpersonal information. We constantly hear stories of how people get scammed when they give away their SSNs and have their identity stolen. The Social Security Administration cautions people to never disclose their SSNs to strangers, especially on the phone or online.

Bored Pandareached out toMichael Bruemmer, an expert at a major American credit report bureau, Experian. He is the vice president of Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection, and he shed some light on the serious topic of child identity theft.

Generational differences can result in different opinions between parents and adult children

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Image credits:Pressmaster / Envato (not the actual photo)

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Image credits:voronaman111 / Envato (not the actual photo)

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Image credits:Mehaniq41 / Envato (not the actual photo)

Image credits:Brief-Bend-8605

Using a child’s Social Security Number to take out loans or credit cards is identity theft

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Image credits:AnnaStills / Envato (not the actual photo)

Micheal Bruemmer says that keeping their child’s social security number safe should be a top priority. “As a rule of thumb, I’d advise parents to never share their child’s social security number unless they have a very good, legitimate reason to do so.

“Family members may not have any malicious intent when asking for that personal information. In fact, it’s not unheard of for grandparents or other family members to ask for a child’s social security number so they can open a savings account for the child.”

“However, I’d still suggest avoiding this and recommend that parents open an account themselves that family members can contribute to, such as a 529 account.”

What parents can do to keep their children safe from identity theft

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Image credits:nd3000 / Envato (not the actual photo)

The mother in this story mentions how she has had financial trouble with her irresponsible parents in the past, which is why she was suspicious. But many people trust their parents (or spouses) and might not be able to immediately recognize the signs that a family member might be stealing their child’s identity.

Michael Bruemmer has some advice for people who are afraid their children might be victims of identity theft. “First, I would recommend checking to see if their child has a credit report with each credit bureau. This is to ensure that they have not been a victim of fraud.”

“Parents with children 14 years or older can access this option via Experian’sminor credit reportrequest form. For children 13 years or younger, the parents must write to Experian since the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act restricts the online collection of personal information regarding children.”

“Next,” Bruemmer goes on, “if a credit report exists, parents can freeze their child’s credit with every credit bureau. It’s not necessary to create a child’s credit report solely to freeze it, but parents can do so. When the child’s credit is frozen, lenders cannot issue credit. Parents can also consider enrolling inExperian’s family identity protection plan, which provides identity monitoring for up to 10 minor children.”

One of the most telling signs will be suspicious bills and notices arriving in your post box in your child’s name. “If they start receiving bills, credit card offers, or other age-inappropriate items addressed to their child, that is a sign their personal information may have been compromised,” Bruemmer explains.

“If a child’s identity is stolen, parents should also notify the business or financial institution that issued credit or a loan that the account was opened fraudulently in their child’s name. Parents should follow up with filing a police report and filing afraud reportwith the FTC.”

The woman clarified that she and her parents don’t exactly get along well because they caused her financial problems in the past

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

People cautioned the woman to stand her ground

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

Woman Is Suspicious Of Her Dad After He Repeatedly Requests Her Baby’s Social Security Number

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