At American Trust Wealth, our commitment goes beyond managing wealth — we also work to help preserve your family’s long-term financial security. That means staying ahead of emerging threats and hidden financial risks like minor identity theft.

It may come as a surprise, but one of the fastest-growing groups impacted by identity theft is children. According to Experian, 25% of minors will have their identities stolen before they turn 18. This growing problem stems from vulnerabilities fraudsters have learned to exploit: clean credit histories, little to no monitoring and limited public awareness.

Left undetected, child identity theft can delay college admissions, interfere with employment and damage future creditworthiness. The good news? You can learn the signs, and take preventive steps, to help protect the minors in your life.

Why is Child Identity Theft on the Rise?

Children are ideal targets for identity thieves due to a combination of vulnerabilities that often go unnoticed by parents.

• Clean credit histories – a blank slate makes them ideal for fraudulent credit activity
• Lack of regular monitoring – most parents don’t check their child’s credit, so fraud often goes unnoticed for years
• Limited safeguards and awareness – many institutions unnecessarily request SSNs, and some parents unknowingly provide too much information
• “Sharenting” and digital exposure – parents may unintentionally expose identifying information on social media
• Children’s activity on social and gaming platforms – kids often use weak privacy settings, making them more susceptible to phishing

How to Prevent Child Identity Theft

These proactive steps can help you safeguard your child’s personal information and prevent misuse before it starts.

• Check for an existing credit report with all three major credit bureaus (there shouldn’t be one unless you’ve established credit in their name)
• Place a credit freeze for your child at each credit bureau to prevent new accounts from being opened
• Limit use of their Social Security Number – ask why it’s needed before providing it to schools or other organizations
• Sign up for monitoring tools/services specifically designed to track child identity use
• Secure devices and accounts your child accesses with parental controls and strong passwords
• Teach children about online safety, including how to spot phishing attempts and scams
• Shred sensitive documents with your child’s personal information before discarding

Key Warning Signs of Identity Theft in Minors

Stay alert to these common red flags that could indicate your child’s personal information is being misused.

• Receiving unusual mail, such as pre-approved credit offers or bills in the child’s name
• Contact from debt collectors about accounts your child did not open
• Denial of government benefits because someone is already using your child’s SSN
• Problems when opening a bank account or applying for student aid
• Notifications from your own credit monitoring service about activity tied to your child’s information

What to Do If Your Child’s Identity is Stolen

If you suspect or confirm that your child’s identity has been compromised, act quickly using the following steps.

• Contact the credit bureaus to report the fraud and request a freeze or correction
• File an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov
• Involve local law enforcement when appropriate — especially if accounts have been opened fraudulently
• Alert your child’s school, doctor’s office or other institutions if their information may have been compromised
• Keep documentation of all correspondence and steps taken
• Consider credit restoration services or professional support from a legal or cybersecurity advisor

Protecting Your Child’s Future Starts Today

The long-term consequences of child identity theft can be devastating — from damaged credit to lost opportunities. But by acting early, parents and guardians can take simple yet powerful steps to protect their children’s financial futures.

At American Trust Wealth, we remain committed to your family’s security. By collaborating with cybersecurity and legal experts, we stay ahead of emerging threats to provide you with the most up-to-date protection strategies.

We encourage all families to stay vigilant — regularly monitoring for signs of identity misuse and taking proactive steps to secure their child’s future. Prevention starts with awareness, and together, we can help ensure a safer tomorrow.