During National Consumer Protection Week, the CBS13 I-Team is focusing on a troubling trend: identity theft targeting children. While this crime is often associated with adults, experts warn that anyone with a Social Security number is vulnerable, even infants.
Identity Theft on the Rise in Maine
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), nearly 1,400 Mainers reported identity theft last year, with credit card fraud being the most common issue. Although adults are the primary victims, fraudsters are increasingly targeting children, sometimes before they can even speak.
Jane Margesson of AARP Maine highlights that child identity theft often goes unnoticed for years. “We’ve heard of incidents of infants as young as two months old having their identity stolen,” Margesson stated. “But who would know? It’s a tiny little child.”
Criminals exploit a child’s clean credit history to open fraudulent accounts using stolen information. These cases typically surface when the child reaches adulthood and applies for credit, only to discover their identity has been compromised.
How Identity Thieves Steal Personal Information
Scammers often gain access to children’s personal information through data breaches, hacks, and other fraudulent activities. For instance, a major breach earlier this year targeted PowerSchool, a cloud storage education technology provider serving K-12 schools across Maine and worldwide. PowerSchool revealed in a filing with the Office of the Maine Attorney General that approximately 33,488 Maine residents were affected.
Margesson emphasized that the absence of immediate detection does not mean harm won’t occur. “They don’t always use the data right away,” she said. “Identity theft sometimes happens years later.”
Steps to Protect Your Child’s Identity
To minimize the risk of identity theft, experts advise the following:
- Freeze your child’s credit: This prevents fraudsters from opening accounts using stolen information. A freeze can be lifted for free when needed.
- Monitor their credit report: A child’s credit report should be nearly empty. Any unusual activity might indicate fraud.
- Respond to data breach notifications: If you receive a notice that your child’s information was exposed in a breach, use any free credit monitoring services offered. While these services won’t prevent fraud, they can alert you to suspicious activity.
How to Freeze Your Credit
Contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually to freeze your credit.
- Equifax: Call 800-349-9960 or go online
- Experian: Call 888-397-3742 or go online
- TransUnion: Call 888-909-8872 or go online
The FTC states you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other personal information to request the freeze.
A security freeze will not affect your credit score or prevent you from accessing your free annual credit report.
If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, the FTC provides a website to report it and seek recovery assistance.
The I-Team’s Consumer Protection Week coverage continues Thursday, with a focus on “Slam the Scam” Day, which highlights the top scams targeting Mainers this year and how to combat them.
Do you have an issue for the CBS13 I-Team to investigate? Call their tip line at (207) 228-7713 or send an email to [email protected].
