Take Precautions Now to Save Your Child’s Future

When identity theft is often brought up, many imagine an adult. The sad reality is that the theft of a child’s identity is on the rise. The worst part is that the child may not find out until they reach the age of 18 years old and attempt to obtain a credit card or loan. By that time, much damage could have been done, leaving your children to pick up the pieces at a time they should be enjoying adulthood. We understand the importance of shredding documents, hardware destruction, and effective records management. We don’t always consider how to teach our young ones to protect their greatest asset—their identity. 

Tips to Keep Your Children’s Identity Safer

Children need protection. Sometimes it’s from physical harm. Other times it could be the heartbreak of first love. Protecting their child’s identity is another area parents need to be hypervigilant about. Use these tips to thwart criminal attempts at ruining your children’s financial future:

1. Be Vigilant about Giving Out Your Preschooler’s SSN:It’s challenging to teach a preschooler about identity theft. This is the time when parents must be aware of things. You may be asked for Little Johnny’s social security number when you fill out paperwork for schools, doctors, or activities. It’s okay to ask why the information is needed and how it will be used. It’s okay not to give it out if it is a formality versus a requirement.
2. Teach Basics to Elementary Kids: During the elementary years, it is a good idea to teach some basic rules to keep Suzy’s identity safe. For example, teach her that it is important not to share her personal information with strangers or others she doesn’t know very well. This rule is critical when she is online. Encourage her to ask questions of you anytime she is uncertain.
3. Teach Your Middle Schooler to Use Strong Passwords: The middle school years are a time of growth emotionally and mentally. Your middle schooler may be on social media and accessing school information from home. Help them create strong passwords over eight digits long, including letters, numbers, and symbols, and do not use private information like birthdays.
4. Remind Your High Schooler that the Internet Is Forever: Teenagers are heavily engaged in social media, and what they post will be there for eternity. Teach them to know what shows up in a photo before publishing it. The photo could reveal personal information, such as a house number. Encourage your teen not to exchange personal information online, especially with strangers.
5. Encourage Vigilance in Trusting Others: Going off to college may be a rite of passage, but it is also a ripe opportunity for your young adult child to have their identity stolen. Remind them that they cannot trust everyone, store sensitive documents in a safe, and have passwords on their phones and laptop.

Save Your Child’s Financial Future 

Keeping your family safe looks different today than 50 years ago. It’s not only about the physical dangers you must worry about. It’s also the online world. Crown Information Management supports businesses and families with options to destroy outdated documents and store needed ones in a secure facility. Talk to us about our services and how we can help you protect your family from cyber criminals.

For help with properly storing, retrieving, and destroying your family’s confidential documents, put our team to work for you. Call Crown Information Management at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our services.