Is someone using your child’s personal or financial information to make purchases, get benefits, file taxes, or commit fraud? That’s child identity theft. Marquette Bank wants to make sure that your children don’t fall victim to Child Identity Theft. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has provided detailed advice to help you fix problems caused by child identity theft.
What To Do Right Away
Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.
- Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your child’s identity and opened a fraudulent account. Explain that your child is a minor, and cannot enter into contracts. Ask them to close the fraudulent account and send you a letter confirming that your child isn’t liable for the account.
- If necessary, send a follow-up letter, attaching a copy of your child’s birth certificate and explaining that your child is a minor who can’t enter into contracts.
Step 2: Online login or password
- To find out if your child has a credit report, request a manual search for your child’s Social Security number. Each credit bureau has its own process for this:
Why check for a credit report? Generally, children won’t have credit reports – unless someone is using their information for fraud. If a credit bureau has a credit report for your child, they will send you a copy of the report. To remove fraudulent accounts, send a letter to each credit bureau indicating that your child is a minor who can’t enter into contracts. Include a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Include as many details as possible. Your next step might be closing accounts opened in your child’s name, or reporting fraudulent charges to your credit card company.
Whether your child has experienced
tax,
financial,
medical or some other type of identity theft; visit
https://identitytheft.gov/ right away. Here you can ask questions about your situation, get a personal recovery plan, and put your plan into action. The FTC will walk you through each recovery step, update your plan as needed, track your progress, and pre-fill forms and letters to you.