The Littlest Victims of ID Theft

If you suspect your child's information has been stolen, take action immediately. Check to see whether a credit file on your child has been created; it shouldn't have been -- these files are generated only when credit is granted. But check only if you have a reason for concern. In checking for a file, you have to send by e-mail or postal service sensitive information to the bureaus.

Each credit bureau has its own procedure to check for a file on a child. For instance, with TransUnion you need to send an e-mail to childidtheft@transunion.com. From the information provided, the bureau will respond as to whether there is a file on record. Parents can visit http://www.experian.com/fraud or call 800-311-4769 to request a copy of a minor's credit file. Equifax requires you to mail a copy of the child's birth certificate and proof that you are the parent or guardian. Mail the information to Equifax Inc., In Care of Minor Child, P.O. Box 105139, Atlanta, Ga. 30348. All the bureaus indicate that if a file is found for a child, the account will be flagged as belonging to a minor.

I'm not telling you all of this to scare you. You don't need to panic. Just stay alert.

And let me throw this in. If you're a young adult and you discover your parent or a relative has stolen your personal information, don't feel guilty about reporting it to authorities. I'm not expecting that you'll be able to do this as a teenager, but you certainly should once you are an adult. After all, your parent was supposed to be protecting you, not ruining your as-yet untarnished credit record.

¿ On the air: Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and online athttp://www.npr.org.She also has a personal finance call-in show that airs from 8 to 10 p.m. Sundays on XM Satellite Radio, Channel 169 "The Power."

¿ By mail: Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

¿ By e-mail:singletarym@washpost.com.

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