How to protect your child from identity theft

There's enough to think about with the start of the new school year, but the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says this is also a good time to take steps to protect your child from identity theft.

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security number, credit card number or some other piece of your personal information to apply for a credit card, make unauthorized purchases, gain access to your bank accounts or obtain loans under your name.

Unfortunately, most people do not know that they have been victims of identity theft until mysterious charges appear on their credit card bills or they are rejected for a mortgage because unpaid bills appear on their credit report.

Kids are easy targets because they have good credit and are less likely to check their credit to notice abnormalities and theft.

Jim Temmer of the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin was a recent guest on the CBS 58 News at 4 p.m. to discuss strategies to protect your children.

The keys are:

Safeguard your child's personal information.

Monitor your child's credit report.

Keep anti-virus software updated. 

Safely dispose of personal documents.

"You should also know how your school is storing sensitive information on your child," advises Temmer. "Be sure to shred your papers that have any information like a social security number on it."

The BBB serving Wisconsin is hosting a free shredding even on Saturday, September 23rd at the Summit Credit Union on Moorland Road in Muskego from  8:30 -11:00 a.m.