Often the first time a person checks their credit isn’t until they are at least 18. The crime goes unnoticed for years, usually not detected until the child attempts to obtain credit, applies for a job, college or government benefits. By then, the damage is done.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime and our children are the ones most at risk.

Consider the following statistics from a joint report based on research conducted byAllClear ID and the Carnegie Mellon Cylab:

Youngest victim only five months old
54% under the age of 12
Largest debt: $725,000
Two-year-old in bankruptcy
Nine-year-old in debt collections )

When you have children, make sure that you protect their identity as well as your own.