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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 1, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: child identity theft, child safety ( 8 ), identity theft ( 108 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), text messaging ( 36 ), text scam ( 23 )   

  Are Text Message Scams Targeting Children? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Text message scams are evolving, and children are now becoming unintended targets. One recent incident in Lafayette, Louisiana, highlights how scammers send random texts, often addressing the recipient by the wrong name, in hopes of starting a conversation. For example, a teenager received a message intended for ‘Rose’, a name that was unfamiliar to her. While this might seem like a simple mistake, responding with something like “Sorry, wrong number” is precisely what scammers want. Once engaged, they can continue the conversation, pretending to befriend the child by asking casual questions like their name or school.

  Although these scams don’t specifically target children, the random nature of the messages means kids are just as likely to receive them. It’s crucial for parents to stay aware of who is contacting their children. In this case, the teen was able to block the number, but it serves as a reminder for parents to monitor their children’s messages and have open conversations about the dangers of engaging with unknown contacts.

  Identity thieves are increasingly drawn to a child’s personal information because it is often untapped and unmonitored. Since children haven’t established credit yet, their Social Security numbers and other identifying details provide a blank slate for criminals to exploit. Scammers can use this clean credit history to open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans, or commit other forms of financial fraud, all while the child, and their parents, remain unaware for years. By the time the child becomes old enough to establish their own credit, they may discover a damaged credit history. This is why scammers, who might initially seem harmless or casual in their approach, can pose a serious risk if they gain access to personal details through seemingly innocent interactions like text messages. Parents must remain vigilant to protect their child’s identity from being compromised in these scams.

  Children may not always recognize the risks, which is why it’s essential to teach them to be cautious about sharing any personal information with strangers, especially through text. Adjusting phone settings to block unknown numbers and being vigilant about their online interactions can help reduce the chances of children falling victim to these scams. While this may seem like a harmless exchange at first, the underlying goal of scammers is to extract personal or family information, and early intervention can prevent any further risks.

   

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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 26, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: child identity theft, credit report ( 3 ), identity theft ( 108 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), social security ( 29 )   

  Start protecting your kids’ identities now! 

  

  By Greg Collier

  As a child, my friends and I would fill out credit card applications, thinking we found a way to get free money. This was before identity theft became such a worldwide problem and credit card applications were given out at stores and restaurants. We’d usually give up on the process when it came to the questions about employment and salary. Not that banks were in the habit of extending credit to ten-year-olds back then. Today, it’s different, however. With enough of the right information, even if the person is a child, lines of credit can be opened in their name.

  The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning to parents on how to be vigilant in protecting their children’s identities. Children have become targets of identity theft within the past several years. That’s because identity thieves enjoy the fact that children are basically a clean slate when it comes to credit. Plus, parents rarely, if ever, check their children’s credit reports.

  Scammers often get their information about a child through social media. Once scammers find a target, not only will they go over every post of parents’ social media accounts, but they’ll wait until more information is posted if needed. Meanwhile, children’s Social Security numbers are often taken in various scams where the scammers pose as people or organizations of authority who may legitimately need your child’s social. For example, the scammers may pose as a health insurance company who claim they need your child’s social to pay a claim.

  However, there are ways to protect your children from identity thieves. The BBB recommends checking your child’s credit report as soon as they turn 16, then freezing their credit. You will need to send documentation that proves you’re a parent or guardian, so keep that information on hand. However, when not in use, those documents should be kept in a secure location like a safe or safe deposit box. Also, not only should you limit what you share on social media about your children, but you should talk to your children as well about what they share.

  Lastly, if you start receiving things like credit card applications or collection notices addressed to your children, their identity may have already been compromised.