<\/span>What Information Should Parents Protect?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe most valuable identifier kids have is a Social Security number. It is usually the only piece of information necessary to open a credit account. Parents normally apply for their child\u2019s Social Security card shortly after birth, but rarely need to use it in day-to-day life. So it is easy to forget about the importance of keeping the number safe.<\/p>\n
Parents should also protect other types of personal information that criminals can use to impersonate a child, access accounts, or create a more complete profile, including:<\/p>\n
\n- Full name and date of birth<\/strong>: Often used together with other details to verify someone\u2019s identity.<\/li>\n
- Home address and phone number<\/strong>: Can help criminals collect additional information about a child or family.<\/li>\n
- School information<\/strong>: Including the name of the school, class schedule, or extracurricular activities, which can reveal details about a child\u2019s daily routine.<\/li>\n
- Online account details<\/strong>: Such as usernames, passwords, and email addresses that could be used to access personal accounts.<\/li>\n
- Medical and insurance information<\/strong>: Which may be misused for fraudulent claims or services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As teens get older, they may also get part-time jobs, pay taxes, and open bank accounts. This exposes them to all of the same identity-theft dangers that adults face in the financial world. It is important that they understand the risks of sharing their personal identifying information. Although they may not have many financial assets at a young age, a child\u2019s personal information remains highly valuable to criminals.<\/p>\n
Read also: How to Protect Personal Information Online in Your Family<\/a>.<\/p>\n