How To Protect Your Child’s Financial Security, Identity

I was recently informed that the Harrisburg Project of Illinois, the company the Illinois State Board of Education uses to collect data on their students, was compromised.

Unfortunately, many children’s personal information was stolen and may be exposed/used. Although your child may not be part of this particular/current breach of security, it is an excellent ideal to contact the agencies listed below to put a seven-year fraud alert on your child’s Social Security number.

Supposedly, if you only contact ONE of the agencies, the agency will contact the other two. I would, however, contact all three agencies personally rather than rely on a computer. Below is the following information. Please send a certified letter and include the following documentation:

1. Copy of child’s social security number (enlarge card)
2. Child’s birth certificate
3. Parent/Guardian Copy of Drivers License
4. Proof of address, such as an Utility Bill, telephone bill, etc.
5. Additional proof of address if you have not lived at current address for 2 years

Three credit reporting agencies:

1. TRANS UNION
Fraud Alert
Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
1-800-680-7289

2. EXPERIAN
Office of Fraud Assistance
Box 9554
Allen, Texas 75013
1-888-397-3742

3. EQUIFAX
Office OF Fraud Assistance
Box 105069
Atlanta, Georgia 30348
1-800-525-6285