Your Teen’s Identity May Be At Risk

Posted by Ken

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Credit cards and teens need to be closely monitored

I’ve talked about protecting your identity from being stolen. Now I’d like to focus your attention on your teen’s identity. After all, they’re unique in that if they have credit records at all, you’ll most likely find a clean report. And besides, what teen do you know who checks their credit reports?

To the criminal, this is a dream come true because it means they can get away with a lot more for a longer period of time before anything wrong has been discovered.

Identity theft is still relatively new. I say this half in jest, but the number of teens who steal identities for fun and profit is probably larger than the number who actually give it a second thought. Again, just an idea; no statistics to back it up.

So what can you do to help them?

Explain to them that ID theft is real.
Their personal information is their personal information. They need to exercise extra care when deciding when it is appropriate to give someone their Social Security number, for instance. An employer needs it; the grocery clerk they encounter most likely doesn’t.
Carrying their Social Security card with them is a bad idea. It’s better to memorize it. It’s also a good idea to remember their driver’s license number.
If they have a checking account, emphasize the importance of keeping the checks secure.
Roommates are often the person they have to worry about the most. Hide those credit cards, checks, bank statements, etc.
You should be checking their credit report regularly just like you should be checking yours. (You are checking yours, right?) In fact, you can get them into the habit of checking their report.

You teach them to not talk to strangers, to be careful when driving, and so forth. Be sure to add to that list the importance of keeping their personal information protected.