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Protect your identity. Mother and kid play at tablet computer
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Child identity theft occurs when a fraudster opens fraudulent accounts or files taxes in your child's name. As a parent you should take action.

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In the event of a fraudulent account being taken out in your child's name, contact the entity immediately.

Explain that your child is a victim of identity theft.

Request that the entity close the fraudulent account.

Request that the entity confirm release from liability in writing.

You should file a police report. Take along: ID, proof of your address, and proof of theft. You will be provided with a copy.

Police departments are required to take your report under MCL 762.10C and MCL 780.754A.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report child identity theft and to obtain a recovery plan. Include as many details as possible.

Contact the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

In the event Federal taxes were filed under your child's name, File under your child's name the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires an Identity Theft Affidavit (PDF).

Following directions at the closing of the form on how to submit. The form can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) electronically. The FTC will then electronically file it with the IRS on your behalf.

We encourage you to complete the affidavit and work directly with the IRS.

Contact the IRS directly after submitting the affidavit at 800-908-4490.

Because minors are not able to enter into legal agreements, a credit report should not exist under their social security number. You can check your child's credit history if you suspect fraudulent activity may have occurred.

All three credit reporting agencies have special procedures in place to run manual searches on minors. If your child is under 16, you can request a free credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, to make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your child's name. The freeze stays in place until you tell the credit bureaus to remove it. (Minors who are 16 or 17 can request and remove a security freeze themselves.) To activate a credit freeze, contact each of the three credit bureaus.

Equifax: Contact Equifax for more information

Experian: Contact Experian for more information

TransUnion: Contact TransUnion for more information

Monitor your mail for fraudulent account notices being taken out in your child's name.