FTC offers tips on protecting kids from identity theft

Advertisers, bullies and sexual predators aren't the only ones trying to get their hands on your kid's information online. Don't forget about identity thieves.

Although many adults regularly check their own credit reports to keep tabs on activity, most parents don't expect their children to have a credit file to have to check. And they wouldn't, unless someone has snagged the necessary details and commandeered your kids' persona. When a child's identity is stolen, it can be years before it's discovered, according to the Federal Trade Commission. But parents can take steps to protect their kids' personal information online and offline. The FTC offers some guidelines on how to dissuade and handle identity fraud committed against your children. Among the tips: Protect your kids' personal information and don't divulge details such as birth date and Social Security number.