credit card to child

[chronicle]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA

Not sure if this is a post for this forum or for child custody...

A mutual friend of my ex husband and I was at a social event with him and heard my ex make a joke about getting a credit card in our child's name (child is 7). Unfortunately, this is not a far-fetched idea for him. Is there a way I can find out if my son's name/ssn has a credit card?

 

[cosine]

Do you have legal custody of the child?

 

[AlmostALawyer]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA

Not sure if this is a post for this forum or for child custody...

A mutual friend of my ex husband and I was at a social event with him and heard my ex make a joke about getting a credit card in our child's name (child is 7). Unfortunately, this is not a far-fetched idea for him. Is there a way I can find out if my son's name/ssn has a credit card?

Run a credit check? But as Consine has indicated, it might be important to have custody of the child before you did such a thing.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

On Monday, I requested a credit card for my 17 year old son. He was added as an authorized user on my account. They did not ask for his SSN. I wouldn't have given it if they asked.

They also asked if I wanted to add my 19 year old to the account and not just an authorized user, so he could build credit.

They asked no information about my son. I suspect I could get one for my dog as well.

 

[TigerD]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA

Not sure if this is a post for this forum or for child custody...

A mutual friend of my ex husband and I was at a social event with him and heard my ex make a joke about getting a credit card in our child's name (child is 7). Unfortunately, this is not a far-fetched idea for him. Is there a way I can find out if my son's name/ssn has a credit card?

Identity theft of children has been growing rapidly for quite some time now. During the next few years, I think we will start to see it hitting news media as kids find out their credit is thrashed before they ever even got a chance on their own.

DC

 

[JustAPal00]

Identity theft of children has been growing rapidly for quite some time now. During the next few years, I think we will start to see it hitting news media as kids find out their credit is thrashed before they ever even got a chance on their own.

DC

I just read an article yesterday that said it is legal for a parent to open credit in their childrens names. It's only a crime if the intent is to defraud the credit companies.

 

[cosine]

I just read an article yesterday that said it is legal for a parent to open credit in their childrens names. It's only a crime if the intent is to defraud the credit companies.

In cases where it is the child that is wanting to have the credit, or needs the money for some reason and can pay it back, but is still underage, I presume that is legal for the parents to arrange it in the child's name.

I'm sure DC is referring to the rampant series of cases where the parents are indeed doing this for some kind of fraudulent purpose, even if they intend to pay back the entire amount on time. If they can't get the money in their own name, and decide to use the child's identity to get it, that's most likely the fraudulent case.

A friend of mine had this happen to him. His father took out a loan to buy fixer rental property when my friend was 15, using my friend's name and SSN. He did this because he was overextended on other loans. The father was late on many payments, though he eventually paid it off. It seriously hurt my friend's credit rating for several years. This is an example of what can happen in relative simple cases. More serious cases can leave "emerging adults" not only with crippled credit, but even huge debts they really don't owe, but haven't the experience to know how to deal with (they don't teach real useful stuff in school like how to manage finances and deal with the legal processes).

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

just read this article the other day:

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/03/child-identity-theft-and-other-scams-to-watch-for/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/02/social-security-identity-theft-children_n_667321.html

if it were me, I would be getting a credit report on the child. Now, somewhere along the way, I thought I had read that it wasn't possible, but, in any case, I would certainly try.

 

[Who's Liable?]

I just read an article yesterday that said it is legal for a parent to open credit in their childrens names. It's only a crime if the intent is to defraud the credit companies.

It is legal. This was done by my significant other's parents when she was young back in the early 80's. It was quite a shock to see her credit report showing an open account dating back so many years, but it was so easy to open new accounts with.

It's a double edged sword. It can be a great tool for the child if the parents are responsible enough to keep the cards in good standing. Can you imagine having a 10+ year credit history when you were 18?

It can be a nightmare for the child as well, as the child now has to sue his parents and file an ID theft police report if the parents mismanaged their credit as well as the child's.

 

[Antigone*]

I'd be putting a credit freeze on lil tigi but dad doesn't even know her SSN. Credit freeze to protect your kids....sad but seems likely to be necessary.

 

[Country Living]

I'd be putting a credit freeze on lil Tigi but dad doesn't even know her SSN. Credit freeze to protect your kids....sad but seems likely to be necessary.

It's not just dad or other relatives you have to worry about. The lawless evil-doers somehow find a way to get young 'uns social security numbers. They're just as bad as the obituary trolls who steal identities.

If I were this OP, I'd run free credit reports on the young 'un. If anything turns up, I'd a credit freeze on his credit bureau accounts AND let the credit bureau know this is a seven year old child.

Legal or not, it just isn't right. I would err on the side of dad using the social security number for nefarious reasons.