How to tell if your child’s identity has been stolen

If you receive strange mail, calls, or messages with your child’s name, you should investigate immediately. There’s a possibility they wound up on some spam lists, but these unsolicited communications are a huge red flag. 

• Your child starts to receive bills in their name. 
• Your child receives credit cards or pre-approved card offers in the mail. 
• You start to receive calls from collection agencies asking for your child. 
• Your child already has a credit file in their name. (You can check this by contacting the major credit reporting agencies — Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.) 
• You get a notification from the IRS that your child’s name or SSN has been used on another tax return or that your child owes income taxes.
• Your child is denied government benefits. 
• You receive age-inappropriate junk mail addressed to your child.

Again, don’t shrug these off! Taking fast action now can be a huge lifesaver for your child and family down the line.