McCollum warns Floridians about child identity theft

TALLAHASSEE, FL - In recognition of National Protect Your Identity Week, Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory warning Floridians about the crime of child identity theft. The Attorney General cautioned parents to be vigilant in protecting their children's personal information and to report any potential ID theft to law enforcement. Although statistics are not kept on identity theft victims under 18, estimates indicate the crime impacts more than 500,000 children nationally each year.

"Often, a child and his or her parents won't realize the theft has ccurred until the child is an adult," said Attorney General McCollum. "I believe this crime happens far more frequently than is reported, and parents need to take steps to ensure their child is protected."

A recent study conducted by the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center found children are most often targeted between the ages of zero to five years old. Unfortunately, the ID thieves may often be the parents themselves, or relatives who have access to a child's social security number. A common practice associated with this crime is for adults to their child's social security number to secure utilities for a home. This generates credit card offers in the child's name, and parents or guardians may sometimes then open lines of credit.

Technology also plays a role in the ID theft of children. Children who use the internet sometimes post personal information online, which can be accessed through a wireless network. Children can also become victims of "phishing" scams, defined as an attempt by an unscrupulous person to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords or credit card information via email by pretending to be a trustworthy entity, like a bank or government agency.

Tips to protect children from identity theft include:

- Try to limit the use of your child's Social Security number (SSN) and do not carry around your child's Social Security card in your purse or wallet.

- Make sure the child's school ID card does not require a date of birth or social security number.

- Watch for mail that may come in your child's name. If he or she receives credit card offers, you should investigate the source.

- Warn your child about giving out their personal information while online and monitor the websites your child visits.

Penalties for parents or guardians convicted of child ID theft are stronger than for those convicted of the ID theft of an adult. The parent or guardian could face a prison term of up to 15 years.

Parents who believe their child's identity has been stolen should immediately file a report with local police or the law enforcement agency where the crime took place, if known. They should also contact all three credit bureaus separately and report the id theft of a minor. Consumers who believe they may be victims of identity theft or fraud may contact the Attorney General's fraud hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or file a complaint online at http://myfloridalegal.com. Additional information about identity theft, tips to protect individuals, and recovery information is available online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/identitytheft.