New scam used to steal children identities

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Children’s identities have been found to be at risk following a new scam that uses false promises of “free child safety kits” to capture sensitive information.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) put out a release regarding several reports of the scam being used to steal private information in order to secure a false identity.

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Scammers contact potential victims over the phone, on social media, or via an email, offering a free child safety kit to everyone in their community.

To get the “free kits”, they will insist having the potential victim provide private information including their name, address, birth date, SIN number and possibly more.

In some cases, parents report the scammers claiming to have to meet the child in person.

If any private information is given up, the individual is at risk of having their identity stolen.

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The BBB says that children are far more likely to have their identity stolen than adults. Scammers can use a child’s name and information for an extended period of time due to people rarely checking a child’s credit report.

The best way to avoid scams like this one and others is to be aware of any information being given away.

Make sure to never offer personal information to strangers, always take a closer look at offers that seem sketchy, and take pre-emptive actions to protect yours and your child’s identities.

 

• With files from CityNews