Protecting Your Child’s Identity

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We always hear about steps to protect our own identity, butwhat about the identities of our children?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has steps you can take today:
Lock up documents
Keep all documents that show a child’s personal information safely locked up.What is personal information? At a minimum, it includes a child’s date ofbirth, Social Security number, and birth certificate. Don’t carry your child’sSocial Security card with you.
Be reluctant to shareyour child’s SSNShare your child’s Social Security number only when you knowand trust the other party. If someone asks for your child’s Social Securitynumber, ask why they want it, how they’ll safeguard it, how long they’ll keepit, and how they’ll dispose of it. If you’re not satisfied with the answers,don’t share the number. Ask to use another identifier.
Limit who has accessto your child’s informationLimit the chances that your child’s information will be stolenor misused at school. Find out who has access to your child’s personalinformation, and read the notices that schools are required to send explainingyour rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Thatlaw protects the privacy of student education records, and gives you the rightto opt out of the release of directory information to third parties, includingother families.
Safely dispose of personal informationShred letters, forms, and other papers that include your child’s personal information before you throw them out. Delete electronic computer files that you no longer need, and empty your online trash or recycle bin.
For more tips - See: Safeguarding Your Child's Future For more tips check out Safeguarding Your Child’s Future fromthe FTC:http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt08.pdf