Every September 1 marks National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day, created by Experian in 2018, as families gear up for the new school year—and the perfect time to discuss protecting kids’ identities online or offline. With back-to-school and digital routines ramping up, risks are higher and awareness is absolutely key.
The Growing Threat: Child Identity Theft in 2025
Child identity theft isn’t just a possibility—it’s happening every day.
- A staggering 1 in 50 children is targeted each year, which is roughly 25 million U.S. kids.
- According to the FTC, incidents of child identity theft have surged 40% over the past three years.
- Global data highlights a 13% rise in identities linked to fraud since March 2024, and a 43% jump in synthetic identity fraud entities. Synthetic identity theft—where real SSNs are paired with fake names or data—is becoming more common.
How It Happens: Familiar Faces & Digital Loopholes
It’s not always strangers behind these crimes—often it’s someone the family knows:
- Over 70% of child ID fraud victims know the culprit personally.
- Data breaches at schools, healthcare providers, and apps often expose children’s Social Security numbers and personal details.
- Many cases go undetected for years, allowing damage to persist into adulthood—in the form of credit issues, loan denials, or worse.
Compounding the risk:
- Oversharing by parents and kids online—one study shows that by age 13, a child could have 1,300 photos and videos shared on social media.
- 94% of families had no identity protection in place when fraud hit.
Fast, Smart, Simple Defense Moves
Time to be proactive, not reactive. Here’s how:
- Freeze Their Credit—Now: This one step, taken with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, can be a game-changer. It costs nothing, is fast, and acts as a strong deterrent.
- Secure Identity Documents: Files with Social Security numbers, birth certificates, and insurance info should be stored in locked or encrypted locations—whether physical or digital.
- Teach Smart Online Habits: Explain password strength, phishing, and safe sharing—especially for kids using social media or platforms like TikTok, Roblox, or Twitch, which tend to expose personal info readily.
- Monitor and React Fast: If you notice unexpected mail—like pre-approved credit offers in your child’s name, IRS letters, or collection notices—it could be a red flag. Act quickly with fraud alerts, reports to the FTC, and possibly police involvement.
- Shred, Don’t Toss: Any paper containing sensitive info should be shredded, not thrown in the trash. Even better: use certified professional shredding services when volume is high.
Final Thoughts
National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day is your chance to pause and protect. Give your child the digital privacy habits—and best practices—that kids today truly deserve. The best time to act? Today. The most important conversion? The one you’re starting right now.
LibertyID Identity Theft Solutions for Individuals, Couples, and Families* provides its subscribers with 360° fully managed identity fraud concierge restoration services. We are experts in resolving all common forms of identity fraud. Our subscribers can also enroll in our Proactive Detection, which monitors and sends alerts when their SSN, Address, Dark Web, criminal record, and credit reports change.
*LibertyID defines an extended family as you, your spouse/partner, your parents and parents-in-law, and your children under the age of 25.