Child identity theft occurs when a child’s
identity is used by another person for their personal gain. Parents or
relatives are usually the first to notice something is not right. Did
you know your minor children are automatically enrolled within your
activated Restoration Rescue® coverage at no additional expense?*
Activate your Restoration Rescue Coverage today. Get covered – Be covered.
Discovery often comes:
- When attempting to open a savings account or college fund for the child.
- When numerous pre-approved credit card offers come in the name of the child.
- When credit cards, checks, bills or bank statements are sent in the name of the child.
- When collection agencies call or send letters about accounts not opened by the child.
- When a teen is denied a driver’s license because another person has their Social Security Number as their ID.
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If you suspect and have some reason to
believe your child’s identity has been used and you are the child’s
parent or court-appointed guardian, you may write the three Credit
Reporting Agencies to see if there are credit reports in that child’s
Social Security Number. The best news would be ‘there is no
report’.
Parents can set a fraud alert for children
under the age of 18 by mailing a letter of explanation. Parents will
need to submit their request in writing, as federal law prohibits the
credit agencies from collecting a minor’s personal information via the
Web. This information should be provided to each credit bureau. If a
minor child already has a credit file with that agency, the organization
will then set an alert and forward a copy of their credit report to the
parents.
TransUnion
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834 |
Equifax Information Services LLC
Office of Consumer Affairs
PO Box 105139
Atlanta, GA 30348 |
Experian
PO Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013 |
Send certified, return receipt mail and include the following items in your letter:
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate
- A copy of the child’s Social Security card
- Child’s full name, date of birth and previous addresses for the last five years, if appropriate
- A copy of the parent’s ID, Driver’s License and proof of address (ie utility bill, credit card statement, etc.)
- If the requestor is a guardian, state that and include any documentation that would legally appoint you as the guardian
If you do not hear from any of the
reporting companies 30 days after getting your return receipt postcard,
please file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
(877.382.4357).
*Your
Identity Theft Restoration Services must be activated for each member in
the primary account; your minor children residing in your household are
automatically enrolled within your activation and your coverage begins
10 business days from the date of your validated activation. Minor
children are covered up to the day before their eighteenth (18th)
birthday, providing you are his or her parent or legal guardian and have
previously activated your Restoration Rescue® coverage within the guidelines of the Terms & Conditions of this program. This information should not be used in lieu of legal advice.