For Immediate Release:
March 2, 2012
Protect your child’s identity now
Proactive steps for parents can head off problems
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Department of Consumer Affairs wants parents to be mindful of the information that they share about their children.
“Personal information about children is very attractive to identity thieves,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs. “They use the information for employment, opening credit accounts and other illegal purposes, but there are steps parent can take to protect themselves.”
Parents should watch for signs of child identity theft such as pre-approved offers of credit cards, bills and debt collection notices in a child’s name.
County Consumer Affairs Director Annmarie Howley recommends that parents begin by guarding their child’s Social Security card and all other documents that contain a Social Security number.
“Only carry a Social Security card when it is needed for a specific purpose,” Howley said. “If you lose the card, it may fall into the hands of identity thieves. Never leave a Social Security or other identification information lying around your house, office or school where others could see it.”
Other advice for protecting your child’s Social Security identity includes asking why someone is requesting a child’s Social Security number. It may not be necessary, or other information could be used as an alternative.
If you must provide a child’s Social Security number, first offer the last four numbers. Always ask how it will be used, who will have access to it, and how it will be protected from fraudulent use. If the information is not going to be retained, ask how it will be destroyed or returned to you.
Parents also should cross-shred documents containing a child’s Social Security number and other personal information before disposing of a document. Don’t give children their Social Security numbers until they understand how and why to protect them.
Consumer Affairs also recommends not posting children’s photographs online. Many digital cameras have geo-coding features that embed the location where a picture is taken. This can help link children’s names to their addresses.
As your children get older, make sure they understand the risks of social networking and the need to keep sensitive, personal information private. Teach them to create strong passwords, avoid accepting friend requests from strangers, and be careful when clicking on links or taking online quizzes.
Parents should only check for credit reports related to their children if there is reason to suspect that identity theft has occurred. Children shouldn’t have credit reports associated with their names and Social Security numbers and checking for them could actually create credit reports that could be exploited by identity thieves.
Consumer Affairs’ staff works not only for Monmouth County residents, but for any resident who is having difficulty dealing with a business located in Monmouth County.”
Consumer Affairs works to educate residents about consumer-related issues and helps consumers resolve all types of consumer-related issues. Information about Consumer Affairs’ programs can be found on the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com or by calling 732-431-7900. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Consumer Affairs department is a law enforcement agency, created and funded by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It protects against consumer fraud and dishonest and unscrupulous business practices by enforcing the state Consumer Fraud Act and other regulations.
“The county’s Consumer Affairs office helps people whether violations are present or not,” Burry said. “Last year, the Department mediated more than 600 complaints and recovered more than $330,000 for consumers. This is one of the many important ways the county is able to assist residents.”
The county’s Department of Consumer Affairs was established in 1977. So far, the Department has handled more than 50,000 complaints and resolved disputes, resulting in savings to consumers of more than $12 million.
Mediation includes letters, telephone calls, e-mails, faxes and informal conferences with businesses. If a business is uncooperative and does not appear as scheduled, the department has the authority to subpoena, a function coordinated with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.
The Department also maintains a “complaint history” on all reported businesses, which can be helpful to consumers who are considering an agreement or transaction with a local business. If there is an active file, the information may be very valuable, Howley said.
Additional information about fraud and other consumer protection programs can be found on the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com or by calling 732-431-7900. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“Protecting your child’s identity is important,” Howley said. “As parents guide their children’s mental and physical well-being, they can also help them in the fiscal sense, too.”
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