What is identity theft?

Identity theft is the fraudulent act of stealing one’s identifying information, usually for personal financial gain. This loss for one and gain for another can have a huge negative effect on a person’s lifestyle as well as their families. From losing a home to being jailed for fraudulent checks. More than 1.84 million people have been victims of some type of identity theft.

A third of whom are minors. That’s just in the US only. Unfortunately, most identity theft victims never fully recover from committing this crime. And being a victim of this crime at a young age can make an individual’s life chaotic and a struggle to live. If caught early, it can be a quick and easy process. In addition, it can lead to the capture of the individual who commits the crime.

To detect and/or prevent this from happening to your child, you must follow three steps.

The first step is to “know the signs”

What are the signs? Bottom line, always read your mail carefully. The reason for this is that most of the time when this act of fraud is created, the mail will arrive at your home in your child’s name. the type of mail is usually from banks and credit bureaus in regards to mortgages or credit cards opened in the child’s name.

The second step is to check or verify a credit report attached to the minor’s identity.

Most likely, if the minor has a credit report, it means there is some kind of open line of credit in the child’s name and identity.

The third and final step that can be taken leaves parents with a simple question

To freeze or not to freeze? Freezing a child’s credit report means that the individual’s credit is completely frozen. The only access available is to the individual, parent or guardian, and/or current creditors. Adults have the opportunity to freely freeze their credit file at their own discretion. However, a minor’s credit report must be completed by the minor’s parent or guardian. Starting January 1, 2026, North Carolina will implement a state law that will allow parents or guardians to freeze a minor’s credit report. This law will allow parents or guardians of children with a credit report or who have already been victims of identity theft to file, free of charge, to freeze and unfreeze the credit report. If the child does not have a report or, fortunately, has not been victimized, she can still freeze the report. However, there may be a $5 fee. The report can be frozen by phone, by mail, or online at http://www.ncdoj.gov/creditfreeze.