What are the Types of Child Identity Theft and How to Prevent it?

Even the youngest face identity theft risks in our digital world. Child identity theft is a grave concern, as it not only jeopardises a child's financial future but also poses potential risks to their emotional well-being.

Understanding its nuances, identifying potential risks, and employing preventive measures are crucial to protect your child.

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What is Child Identity Theft?

Child identity theft involves the unauthorised use of a minor's personal information for fraudulent purposes.

Parents can take proactive steps to check for identity theft by monitoring their child's credit reports. Although children typically do not have established credit, any signs of activity could indicate fraud.

Kids are in danger of having their identities stolen, no matter how old they are. It's not just the kids who suffer; their parents can also face the stress and money problems caused by this kind of theft.

7 Types of Child Identity Theft

Identity thieves target one in 50 children and to prevent child identity theft, it is important to be aware of these 7 types of theft:

Educational Identity Theft: This occurs when a thief uses a child's information to enrol in educational institutions or access educational services. The consequences can include compromised academic records and difficulties in obtaining scholarships or financial aid.
Medical Identity Theft: It occurs when a child's personal information is used to obtain medical services or prescription medications. This not only poses a risk to the child's health but can also lead to inaccuracies in their medical history.
Existing Account Takeover Theft: Identity thieves may attempt to take control of existing financial accounts linked to a child's identity. This could involve draining existing savings accounts or engaging in fraudulent transactions to further engage in illegal activity.
New Account Fraud: Opening new accounts, such as credit cards or loans, using a child's information is a common form of child identity theft to commit illegal transactions. The impact on the child's credit can be severe and long-lasting.
Criminal Identity Fraud: In cases of criminal identity fraud, the thief uses the child's information when interacting with law enforcement to escape punishment, leading to potential legal consequences for the innocent child.
Synthetic Identity Theft: Crafting a new identity using bits of a child's information combined with false details creates a fraudulent identity that's difficult to detect. The resulting identity is then used for various fraudulent activities.
Biometric Theft: Advancements in technology have led to an increased use of biometric data, such as a child’s fingerprints and facial recognition. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it can be exploited for identity theft.

What are the Causes of Child Identity Theft?

Man committing child identity theft by phishing information from a young person's online account.

Understanding these causes of child identity theft is essential for developing effective prevention strategies:

Familial Fraud: In some cases, family members or close relatives might use a child's identity for financial gain. A relative might use a child's Aadhaar card to open credit accounts or to take benefits from government policy related to children.
Data Breaches: When hackers gain unauthorised access to databases containing children's information, it exposes them to identity theft. For example, a breach in a school or healthcare system to obtain the information.
Phishing: Phishing involves tricking individuals into revealing personal information. Children, with their limited experience, may fall victim to phishing attempts through emails, fake websites, or social media.
Oversharing on Social Media: Parents unknowingly contribute to the risk of child identity theft by sharing too much information about their children on social media. This information can be used to piece together a child's identity.
Physical Theft: Traditional methods, such as stealing personal documents or information from unsecured locations, remain a threat. Criminals may target homes or schools to obtain the necessary details.

How to Prevent Child Identity Theft?

Protecting your child's identity is a team effort – you and your child can form a powerful shield to prevent the heft:

Freeze Child's Credit: Parents can freeze their child's credit, preventing anyone from opening new accounts in their name. This ensures that the child's credit remains untarnished until they are of age.
Protect Personal Data: Sensitive documents of your child like birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, or passports, lock them away, shred old papers, and avoid carrying them around unless absolutely necessary
Secure Child's Devices: Strong passwords, antivirus software, and keeping devices updated all contribute to a digital fortress. Monitor app downloads and online activity, especially on shared devices.
Check Social Media Privacy Settings: Review and adjust the privacy settings on social media platforms to limit the information visible to the public. This reduces the risk of criminals using overshared information for identity theft.
Monitor Emails in Your Child's Name: Regularly check emails addressed to your child, especially for any financial or sensitive content. This helps detect any unauthorised activities or communications.
Educate Your Child: Teach children about the potential risks of identity theft and the importance of responsible online behaviour. Instil a sense of caution without fostering fear, empowering them to make informed decisions.

Protecting children's identities is increasingly important as our world becomes more connected. Learning how identity theft affects kids helps parents and guardians keep them safe. Stay watchful and prepared; even a little caution can go a long way in safeguarding your child's identity.

FAQs on Child Identity Theft

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How do you detect child identity theft?

Detecting child identity theft can be tricky, as kids might not be aware of strange activity until it's too late; you can detect child identity theft by noticing signs like unexplained mail, medical records, digital footprints, and unusual calls.

How common is child identity theft?

Child identity theft is increasingly common, affecting millions of children annually. It's a growing concern due to its underreporting and the vulnerability of children's information.

Why do identity thieves target children?

Identity thieves focus on children because they represent clean slates to exploit. With children not checking credit reports and most parents neglecting to monitor their children's credit, this allows fraud to remain unnoticed for extended periods.