Family ID Theft Protection: Should You Protect More Than Just Yourself?
Updated: Oct 17
Family ID Theft Protection: Protecting Your Household From Identity Theft
Identity theft can affect more than one person in a household. Learn how family ID theft protection works, why spouses and children may face different risks, how to monitor personal information, what parents should know about child identity theft, and what recovery assistance may be available through an ID protection plan. Explore family identity protection options through JRF Services.
Can identity theft affect an entire family?
Yes. Different family members may have different accounts, devices, financial information, and online profiles. A household can therefore benefit from thinking about identity protection as a family-wide issue.
Should spouses consider family identity protection?
A family plan may be convenient for households that want protection for multiple eligible members. The appropriate choice depends on the plan's definition of eligible family members, pricing, benefits, and exclusions.
Can children become victims of identity theft?
Yes. The FTC notes that most children under 18 generally do not have credit reports, so the existence of a credit report for a child can be a warning sign that identity theft may have occurred.
Why would a child have a credit report?
A credit file can potentially be created through unauthorized use of a child's Social Security number. Parents and guardians can take steps to investigate unexpected credit activity.
Should parents monitor their teenagers' credit?
Regularly reviewing credit information can help identify inaccurate or unauthorized activity. The FTC recommends discussing credit and identity protection with teenagers and checking their reports when appropriate.
Can family id theft protection include credit monitoring?
Some family plans may include credit monitoring. Our ID protection plans offer individual and family options, with credit-monitoring benefits varying by plan.
What about elderly family members?
Older adults can also encounter identity theft, financial scams, phishing, fraudulent calls, and account fraud. Families can establish routines for reviewing statements and discussing suspicious requests.
Should family members share passwords?
No. Family members should generally maintain separate passwords and account credentials. Using unique passwords helps limit the damage if one account becomes compromised.
What is one simple family identity-protection habit?
Create a family rule: never provide sensitive information in response to an unexpected message, phone call, or email without independently verifying who contacted you.
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