Updated November 5, 2026

Imagine opening the mail and finding a collection notice in your 12-year-old’s name. They’ve never had a credit card. So where did the debt come from?

Someone may have used your child’s Social Security number (SSN) to open an account or claim benefits. Because families usually have little reason to check a young child’s credit, the misuse may go unnoticed until a bill arrives or the child applies for credit years later. [1]

What can someone do with a child’s Social Security number?

An identity thief may use a child’s SSN and other personal information to apply for credit cards or loans, set up phone or utility service, rent a place to live or claim government benefits. In some cases, the thief combines a real SSN with a different name or date of birth to create a fake identity. This is called synthetic identity fraud. It also explains why the name on a fraudulent account may differ from your child’s. [1][2]

What are the warning signs of child identity theft?

  • A bill or collection notice arrives for an account your child never opened.

  • A government agency says your child’s SSN is already being used to receive benefits.

  • The IRS sends a notice about income your child didn’t earn.

  • A credit bureau finds unfamiliar accounts tied to your child’s SSN.

A notice is a reason to investigate. If someone calls about a debt, look up the company’s contact information independently before sharing any personal details. [1]

How do I check if someone is using my child’s SSN?

  1. Contact all three credit bureaus. Ask Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to manually search for your child’s SSN. Each bureau may ask for proof of your identity, your child’s identity and your relationship to the child. A clean search helps rule out fraud in those credit files, while benefit or tax misuse may require a separate check with the relevant agency. [1][3]

  2. Contact the company or agency involved. If you find an account your child didn’t open, ask the company’s fraud department to close it and confirm in writing that your child isn’t responsible. Ask the bureaus to remove fraudulent information. If the issue involves taxes or benefits, follow up directly with the agency that sent the notice. [1][3]

  3. Report confirmed misuse. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to report the theft and get a recovery plan. Keep copies of letters, notices and confirmations so you can follow up. [3]

Can I freeze my child’s credit?

Yes. If your child is under 16, you can request a free credit freeze on their behalf. Contact each of the three bureaus separately. If a bureau has no credit file for your child, it can create a record so it can place the freeze. Teens who are 16 or 17 can request their own freeze. [1][3]

A freeze makes it harder for someone to open new credit accounts that require access to your child’s credit file. If you’ve already found a fraudulent account or a benefits issue, deal with that separately using the steps above.

At home, keep Social Security cards and sensitive paperwork in a secure place. When a form asks for your child’s SSN, ask why it’s needed, how it will be protected and whether another identifier will work. [1]

Sources