How Can I Check My Child's Credit for Identity Theft?

Identity theft crime rings target everyone, including children -- who make up 7 percent of all identity theft victims, according to the Christian Science Monitor. Checking your child's credit is not as simple as with an adult, because the credit bureaus are reluctant to give out a minor's report, which could lead to more theft.

Identification

You can check a child's credit. If he is under 13, you must mail in your request along with a copy of the child's birth certificate and Social Security card. You, the parent, must furnish a copy of a government issued photo ID, such as a drivers license and a recent utility bill, according to Annual Credit Report. If the child is 13 or older, you can usually request the report online at the Annual Credit Report website.

Why Go Through All This Trouble?

The national credit bureaus require a lot of red tape to get a child's credit report, because they do not intentionally keep files on minors, only if the minor has credit, such as when a parent makes the child an authorized user on a credit card. Also, they want to prevent identity thieves from using a minor's report to get his personal information to take out a loan fraudulently.

Is My Child a Victim?

Accounts listed on your child's credit report do not automatically mean he is a victim of identity theft. If you gave him an account, such as an authorized user card, he will build credit history. The child may have also applied for a loan on his own. Children sometimes get credit on their own by lying about their age or forging a signature.

Legal Guardians

If you are a legal guardian of the child, you must provide all of the documents as you would for a biological child, but also a court order identifying you as the legal guardian.

What If My Child is a Victim?

Contact the credit bureaus immediately and request a fraud alert or a freeze on the child's report if you suspect identity theft. Freezes offer more protection because the creditor cannot see the report without your consent. Also, file a case with the local lawsuit enforcement agency. The Federal Trade Commission can give you some extra pointers on how to recover from this crime.