Check If Your Child Has A Credit Report
Generally, a child under 18 wont have a credit report unless someone is using his or her information for fraud. A good way to find out if someone is using your childs information to commit fraud is to check if your child has a credit report. To do that, contact the three credit bureaus and ask for a manual search for your child’s Social Security number. You may have to give the credit bureaus a copy of
- your drivers license or other government-issued identification card
- proof of your address, like a utility bill, or a credit card or insurance statement
- your childs birth certificate
- your childs Social Security card
If youre not the childs parent, you may have to give the credit bureaus a copy of documents that prove you are the childs legal guardian.
When Your Child Turns 16
When your child turns 16, you may want to check if theres a credit report in his or her name. This could help you spot identity theft, since children under 18 usually dont have a credit report. If theres inaccurate information in your childs credit report, youll have time to correct it before he or she applies for a job, a college loan, a car loan, or a credit card, or tries to rent a place to live.
Safe Access To Your Account Information
We work with some financial websites and apps to give you control of your financial information and to keep it safe and private. When you use these websites to invest or help manage your finances, you’ll enter your chase.com username and password directly into a secure chase.com window from their website and you’ll only have to give access once.
If you’ve given access to one of our partners, you’ll see them in Linked Apps and Websites, where you’ll be able to remove their access. If you’ve linked your Chase account to apps and websites that aren’t included on that list, you can remove their access at any time by changing your password.
Hear From Our Members
“Great Service”
“I have had LifeLock for several years with upgrading to Ultimate Plus within the past year. They have thwarted attempts at my personal information twice in the past month. I would probably have never known of these if I hadn’t had LifeLock. Thanks for taking care of this, LifeLock.”
Tres S, Current Ultimate Plus Member
Member since Jan 2009
“Thank You”
“I was notified of fraudulent attempt to open a cell phone service in my name without my knowledge. I was asked to verify if it was me. When I said no the account was stopped. It made me feel thankful that someone was looking out for me.”
Joyce S, Current Member
“Best decision I’ve made”
“I started using LifeLock right after I tried to file my taxes and was told that my SS# had already been submitted. My tax guy suggested I try LifeLock. Best decision I made!”
Jessie K, Current Advantage Member
Member since Sept 2012
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
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Reporting Identity Theft And Placing Security Freezes On Your Credit Reports
If you are a victim of identity theft, act quickly. File a police report with your local law enforcement agency and obtain a copy of the report. Here’s a checklist of immediate and next steps to take if you are a victim.
Whether you are a victim or not, you can take five important actions to protect your credit and your identity:
1. Place a security freeze on each of your credit reports to stop fraudulent accounts from being opened by the identity thief. A security freeze prevents potential creditors and other third parties from accessing credit reports without your approval. Most businesses will not open credit card or loan accounts without checking your credit history. You must contact each of the credit reporting agencies individually online or by postal mail. There is NO COST to place or lift a security freeze. For more information, see detailed instructions entitled Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft below.
Equifax, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374 800-465-7166 www.equifax.com
Experian, P.O. Box 9530, Allen, TX 75013 888-397-3742 www.experian.com
TransUnion, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 800-680-7289 www.transunion.com
Annual Credit Reportwww.AnnualCreditReport.com
How To Check If Your Social Security Number Is Locked
If you are concerned that your social security number may be compromised, you can check to see if it is locked by following these steps:
Visit the Social Security Administrations website.Click on Sign In/Up in the upper right-hand corner.Enter your username and password.Click on My Account in the upper right-hand corner.Under Personal Information, click on Update my SSN Lock.If your social security number is locked, you will see a message that says, Your social security number is locked. If it is not locked, you will see a message that says, You cant lock your social security number.
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Free Security Freezes By Mail
Your letter should include:
- Your full name including middle initial and any suffix
- Your home addresses for the last five years
- Your Social Security number and date of birth
- Two proofs of residence
- Police or DMV report if youre a victim of identity theft
Note: The credit bureaus already have your name and other personal information in their files. You will be providing it to verify your identity.
Can I Freeze My Child’s Report
If your minor children have credit files, it can be a good precaution to freeze those files. Underage children ordinarily have credit files only if you’ve made them an authorized user on a credit card or as a result of identity theft.
To freeze a credit report for someone under 16, you’ll need to prove you have authority to make that request. Proof of this authority can include:
- A lawfully executed and valid power of attorney
- A document issued by a federal, state or local government agency in the United States attesting to your parental relation to the minor
- A birth certificate
You can thaw the files when the children come of age and are ready to begin seeking credit on their own.
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What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Card
Your Social Security number is valuable to identity thieves because its linked to your identity. Learn what to do if your Social Security card is stolen or lost and how to keep your personal information safe.
Reading time: 5 minutes
Highlights:
- Your Social Security number can be valuable information for identity thieves
- Consider placing a security freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports if your Social Security card is lost
- If you know your Social Security number has been stolen, there are some additional steps you can take
Your Social Security number is a valuable piece of information to identity thieves. Its a key element of your identity and is also linked to taxes and credit information. And except in limited circumstances, it cant be changed. Thats why its so worrisome to have your card lost or stolen.
Here are some steps to take for a lost or stolen Social Security card:
1. Consider placing a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit reports or locking them. With an initial fraud alert, potential lenders and creditors are encouraged to take additional steps to verify your identity, such as contacting you by phone, before extending new credit. A fraud alert lasts for one year and can be renewed. Fraud alerts are free. Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus Equifax, Experian or TransUnion to request a fraud alert, and that bureau will notify the other two.
Here’s Where To Get More Information On Social Security Numbers
Identity Theft: If you think an identity thief is using your SSN to work or to collect benefits, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement. You can get a copy by calling 1-800-772-1213, or online at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7004.pdf. Also see the Social Security Administration’s booklet “Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number,” at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html.
History of SSNs: For a chronology of the laws relating to SSNs, see www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/ssnchron.html.
What the Numbers Mean: For an explanation of the meaning of the numbers in SSNs and answers to other questions about SSNs, see www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.
More on Protecting your SSN: “Fact Sheet 10: My Social Security Number: How Secure Is It?” from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, at www.privacyrights.org.
Recommended Practices: For recommendations on how organizations can protect privacy in their handling of SSNs, see Recommended Practices for Protecting the Confidentiality of Social Security Numbers on the Business page at www.privacy.ca.gov.
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Alternatives To The Online Tool
If you want an IP PIN but cant successfully validate your identity through the Get an IP PIN tool, there are alternatives. Please note using an alternative method to the online tool takes longer for an IP PIN to be assigned to you.
Filing an application for an IP PIN
If your adjusted gross income on your last filed return is below $73,000 for Individuals or $146,000 for Married Filing Joint and you cant use the online tool, you have the option to use Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification NumberPDF. You must have:
- A valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- An adjusted gross income on your last filed return is below $73,000 for Individuals or $146,000 for Married Filing Joint.
- Access to a telephone
We will use the telephone number provided on the Form 15227 to call you and validate your identity. Once we verify your identity, you will receive your IP PIN via the U.S. Postal Service usually within four to six weeks. You will then receive your IP PIN annually through the mail.
Requesting in-person authentication for an IP PIN
What To Do If Your Social Security Number Is Stolen
If your social security number has been stolen, its important to take action immediately. Here are a few things you can do:
-Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0009-social-security-numbers.-Contact the credit reporting agencies and place a fraud alert on your credit reports.-Close any accounts that have been opened in your name or that have been compromised.-File a police report.-Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-269-0271 to report the theft and to request a new social security number.
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What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Number
Its important to keep your social security number safe and secure. Here are some tips for what to do if you lose your social security number:
-If you think your SSN has been lost or stolen, contact the Social Security Administration immediately.-File a police report if you think your SSN has been stolen.-Put a fraud alert on your credit report.-Check your credit report regularly for suspicious activity.-If you get benefits from the Social Security Administration, contact them to change your account information.
What’s An Extended Fraud Alert
An extended fraud alert does the same thing a temporary fraud alert does, just for a longer period of time. It generally stays active for 7 years, unless you cancel it sooner.
An extended alert is also a little more difficult to get than a temporary one, it generally requires a police report showing that you’re a victim of identity theft.
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S To Take If Your Social Security Number Has Been Stolen
Quick Answer
If your Social Security number has been stolen, report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission and the police, freeze your credit report and contact companies you suspect have your SSN due to fraud.
Through December 31, 2022, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax will offer all U.S. consumers free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com to help you protect your financial health during the sudden and unprecedented hardship caused by COVID-19.
In this article:
If your Social Security number has been stolen, you’ll need to act quickly to reduce the damage fraudsters can commit. It’s important to report the theft to the proper authorities and secure your credit and personal information. Then, you’ll want to take additional measures to continue protecting your identity.
The number of data compromises in the U.S. was up 68% in 2021 from the previous year, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Cyberattacks in particular are becoming more common, putting SSNs and other personal information at greater risk of theft and eventual use in fraud. Here are steps you should take if your SSN and related information become compromised.
How To Get An Ip Pin
The fastest way to receive an IP PIN is by using the online Get an IP PIN tool. If you wish to get an IP PIN and you dont already have an account on IRS.gov, you must register to validate your identity. The IP PIN tool is generally available starting in mid-January through mid-November. Select the button to get started
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Report Identity Theft To Other Organizations
You can also report the theft to other organizations, such as:
-
Credit Reporting Agencies – Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit report. Also get copies of your credit reports, to be sure that no one has already tried to get unauthorized credit accounts with your personal information. Confirm that the credit reporting agency will alert the other two credit reporting agencies.
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National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center – Report cases of identity theft due to a stay in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
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Financial Institutions – Contact the fraud department at your bank, credit card issuers and any other places where you have accounts.
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Retailers and Other Companies – Report the crime to companies where the identity thief opened credit accounts or even applied for jobs.
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State Attorney General Offices – Check with your state’s attorney general office for tips, checklists, or an advocate to help you recover from identity theft.
You may need to get new personal records or identification cards if you’re the victim of ID theft. Learn how to replace your vital identification documents after identity theft.
What Is The Best Identity Theft Protection Service
Identity theft protection services let you know that your identifying information has been used, or that it is at risk because it was exposed in a data breach. If you are a victim of identity theft, they may also guide you and reimburse you for costs through the process of cleaning up the mess and restoring your identity.
If youre already doing all you can do to protect your identity or feel you don’t have time to do it, you may want to consider an identity theft protection service. Protections vary, and most offer additional ways to protect your privacy and other services. The best choice among the paid services is one that fits your budget and offers you the coverage you care about.
Before you pay for one, though, check to be sure you dont have an identity theft benefit or discount youre not using.
If you decide to buy, NerdWallet has reviews of:
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How To Keep Your Social Security Number Safe
Your social security number is one of the most important pieces of information you have. Its used to identify you for tax and government benefits purposes, so its important to keep it safe. Here are a few tips for how to do that:
-Dont carry your social security card with you unless absolutely necessary. If you do need to carry it, keep it in a secure location, such as a locked drawer or wallet.-Dont give out your social security number unless absolutely necessary. When possible, use other identifying information instead.-Shred any documents that contain your social security number before throwing them away.-Protect your computer by using strong passwords and security software, and dont store sensitive information, like your social security number, on your computer unless absolutely necessary.
Learn More About Credit Freezes And Fraud Alerts
- A fraud alert flags your credit report and encourages lenders to verify your identity before issuing new lines of credit in your name.
- A credit freeze blocks your credit file so that lenders canât even access your credit report. Credit freezes also block new credit applications until you âthawâ the freeze with each of the three major credit bureaus.
Understanding the differences between a can help you take swift action if you think youâre a victim of identity theft.
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What To Do If Your Social Security Number Is Exposed
If your Social Security number is exposed in a breach or leak, it’s important that you act quickly to prevent identity thieves from doing more damage.
Tip: As you go through this process it’s a good idea to keep documentation of any steps you take, calls you make, forms you fill out, or letters you send. If you have to dispute a fraudulent charge or activity, having these records can help smooth the way by establishing that you’re dealing with an actual identity theft.
Who Can Access My Frozen Credit Report
A credit freeze limits most credit inquiries, but certain parties can still access a frozen credit report under specific circumstance. Here are a list of entities that may access your credit report after you do a credit freeze:
- You, when you view your own credit report.
- Lenders and card issuers with whom you have accounts, who use credit checks in their account management processes.
- Landlords and rental agencies, screening you as a potential tenant.
- Phone carriers and utility companies, to set the amount of security deposit required on equipment.
- Debt collection agencies, when attempting to obtain a payment.
- Child support agencies, for purposes of determining child support.
- Auto insurance companies, which may include credit scores in their rate-underwriting process.
- Potential employers you’ve authorized, conducting background checks.
- Government agents, executing court orders or warrants.
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