Our children are spending more and more time online - whether it’s for education, gaming, communication, or streaming, the AACAP found that children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours. Unfortunately, with so much time spent online, digital dangers can make their way into your home. These dangers are not limited to your kids, sensitive personal family details such as social security numbers, home addresses, phone numbers, and more can be ripe for the taking by online scammers and hackers. This article will dive into the dangers kids face online, how you as parents can safeguard your children’s identities, and what you can do to help your family stay safe from online fraud.
What is Child Identity Theft?
Child identity theft occurs when a child’s personal information like their Social Security number or home address is stolen and used to commit fraud. Online scammers could use your child’s identity to open credit card accounts, apply for financial loans, or even file tax returns using their information. Because children seldom check their credit reports, these crimes often go unnoticed for years, until it’s way too late. Child identity theft can have lasting effects on your family for years.
Why Children Are Targeted
You might be asking why children are targeted in the first place. Well, children’s identities are appealing to online scammers because they represent a “clean slate.” Children are likely to have no pre-existing credit history, so stolen information can be used without immediate detection, often for multiple years. Additionally, children are often less equipped to recognize online threats. This makes them more susceptible to cyber scams and data breaches, whereas an adult might be able to catch on to a scammer’s red flags or know how to properly secure their data.
Common Risks Leading to Child Identity Theft
We all know that digital dangers come from almost anywhere online, but fear not, here are some common risks leading to child identity theft:
- Data Breaches: Large-scale data breaches are all too common these days and affect everyone. Regarding your kids, breaches at schools, pediatric offices, or other institutions that keep children’s data on file can expose their information.
- Sharing Online: While kids have been known to overshare online, many parents don’t realize that they might be doing the same inadvertently. Social media platforms are extremely accessible to scammers and can make pulling off fraud very easy.
- Mail Theft: Physical mail theft is one way scammers get a hold of your kids’ information. Think of documents like school records or insurance bills, which often contain things like social security numbers and birthdates.
- Phishing: Phishing is the number one way scammers prey on victims. They often impersonate trusted organizations to trick parents or children into revealing their information online.
Child Cybersecurity Tips: Protecting Their Digital Footprint
You as parents must do your part in teaching your children proper digital hygiene. That is often thought of as screen time limits or not engaging with strangers online. Unfortunately, there is much more to be done. Alongside education is the need to employ cybersecurity tools like Mozo to protect their identities. Here are some child cybersecurity tips that can help keep them and your family safe when they are connected online:
- Educate Your Kids: First, you must teach kids about the importance of keeping personal information private and what could happen if that information gets stolen. The most important details they should always conceal online include things like their full name, home or school addresses, birth dates, and of course social security numbers. This is especially true when using social media platforms.
- Monitor Their Activity Online: Using cybersecurity tools to set healthy parental controls is a must, especially in the beginning years of using devices. You can track your child’s internet usage, restrict access to inappropriate content, and block certain apps you deem unsafe.. A password manager will ensure they use strong, unique passwords for all of their accounts, greatly reducing the chances of hackers getting into their profiles.
- Be Cautious with Apps and Games: Take the time to review the app or game’s privacy policies. You should be wary of any provider that collects an unnecessary amount of personal data, and look into what their data storage protocols are like. Only download apps from reputable sources.
Avoiding Fraud: Steps for Parents
Keeping our children safe is often our number one priority, however, most parents think more about our physical world than the digital one. Avoiding fraud online must be top of mind as your children grow older and do more on the internet. Below are some steps you can take to help your kids avoid fraud and protect their identities online.
Freeze Your Child’s Credit
A credit freeze is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect your child's identity. Freezing their credit will lock their file, preventing anyone from opening new accounts or getting credit in their name. This makes it much harder for thieves to use your child's information. To freeze your child’s credit, contact each of the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - individually. There could be a minor fee to place the freeze, but it’s a worthwhile investment to keep their identities secure.
Secure Important Documents
Your child's Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, and other sensitive documents must be kept securely. These documents contain all the key pieces of information that can be used to steal their identity. If you keep their physical documents at home, a safe is a great way to ensure their safe storage. One step up from a safe is to keep their documents in a safety deposit box at your bank. Digitally, it's important to use a reputable cloud service that uses strong encryption. That way, only you can gain access to the files.
Be Vigilant with School Forms
Schools often require the most sensitive information about our kids. While this is often necessary, you must be aware of what exactly is being collected and how it is used. Reach out to your children’s school and find out why they require the information that they do, how it will be stored, and who might have access to it. Familiarize yourself with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which gives parents certain rights regarding their children's education records.
Check for Unusual Activity
Always check for unusual activities across your children’s accounts. Keep an eye out for red flags, such as pre-approved card offers or loans in their names, debt collection messages, or unexplained charges on your credit card statements. If something seems suspicious, contact the credit bureaus. You can also consider reporting the possible fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Early detection and prompt action are crucial in minimizing the damage of identity theft.
Safeguarding Children's Identities in the Digital World
There are lots of ways to make safeguarding children's identities in the digital world an easy task. You can employ cybersecurity tools and tactics such as enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all of their accounts. This adds an extra layer of security that makes hacking their accounts much more difficult. Using identity theft protection tools like Mozo can monitor for unauthorized use of your child’s personal information and provide real-time alerts. Always limit the amount of personal information shared on social media or other places online. Finally, take the proper precautions to destroy physical documents that contian personal information.
Warning Signs of Child Identity Theft
Detecting child identity theft can be challenging. Mainly because children usually do not have active credit profiles or receive mail at home. Thankfully, there are several warning signs of child identity theft that you can be made aware of.
Unsolicited Bills or Credit Offers
Receiving strange bills or collection notices at home is one telltale sign of child identity theft. Pre-approved credit cards are also a major red flag to look out for. Odds are your child should not be applying for credit cards, so these mailings can strongly suggest someone is using their information. Pay close attention to mail addressed to your child, even if you think it's simply junk mail. Don't dismiss it as a simple mistake. Look for anything related to credit cards, loans, or other financial products.
Denied Benefits
If your child's Social Security number has been compromised, you might encounter problems when applying for government benefits. A denial could indicate that the number is already associated with another individual or that fraudulent claims have been filed before. This is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Contact the relevant government agency to understand the reason for the denial and take steps to correct the situation as soon as you are made aware.
Credit Denials
Teenagers might encounter credit denials when attempting to open a bank account if their information has been used in the past. This also goes for student loan applications or to even get a job. Don't assume your child simply made a mistake on the application. Investigate the reason for the denial and check if a credit report already exists. If a report exists and you haven't authorized any accounts, it's a clear indication of identity theft.
Conclusion
Protecting your child from identity theft is an ongoing process that requires education. By implementing child cybersecurity tips, monitoring online activity, and using protective measures like credit freezes and identity theft tools, you can successfully safeguard your child’s and family’s future. Learn more about how Mozo can help protect your family’s digital lives and provide peace of mind. Take action today to avoid fraud and secure your mini-me’s identity for years to come.
