How to help protect foster youth from identity theft

Identity theft can happen to anyone, including kids in foster care. But minors typically don’t have credit reports, so they might not even realize they’ve experienced identity theft until they apply for a job, housing, or credit. Because foster youth often move more often and more people have access to their info, they’re at greater risk of identity theft. So if you’re a foster parent, a service provider, or know someone in foster care, read on for ways to help protect foster youth from identity theft.

The best place to start is with a credit freeze. Federal law says parents, legal guardians, and child welfare representatives of people under age 16 can place a free credit freeze on their behalf. The law also requires child welfare agencies to get and review credit reports every year for foster youth aged 14 and older, which can help them spot identity theft with time to address it. 

To get the ball rolling:

• Check to see if they have a credit report. Generally, someone under 18 won’t. To find out, contact the three nationwide credit bureaus and ask for a manual search for their Social Security number. Find the credit bureaus’ contact information at IdentityTheft.gov. You may have to give the credit bureaus a copy of documents that prove you’re the child’s parent, legal guardian, or an authorized child welfare representative.
• Freeze their credit. Only an authorized adult can do this, and the process for getting a freeze for a minor is different from for an adult. Find instructions at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• Secure their personal data. Keep kids’ information, like medical bills or a Social Security card, in a secure place. Shred documents before throwing them away. And talk with the kids in your life about why keeping personal information safe matters.

For more information, read the FTC’s article about child identity theft.