My Child's Identity Has Been Stolen or Used Fraudulently
You have received unexpected letters, bills, or account notifications in your child's name, or discovered that someone has used your child's personal details to open accounts, apply for credit, or commit fraud.
Discovering that your child's identity has been stolen is deeply unsettling, but acting quickly can limit the damage. Children are increasingly targeted because their clean credit histories make them attractive to fraudsters, and the theft often goes undetected for years. The steps below will help you contain the situation, protect your child's identity going forward, and report the crime.
What to do now
Confirm the Identity Theft
Gather all evidence — unexpected letters, bills, emails, or account notifications in your child's name. Check whether any accounts or credit agreements have been opened using their details by requesting a basic credit report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.
✗ Do not: Do not ignore unexpected correspondence addressed to your child, even if it seems like junk mail.
Report to Action Fraud
Report the identity theft to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their online reporting tool at actionfraud.police.uk. They will provide you with a crime reference number which you will need for subsequent steps.
Contact the Organisations Involved
Write to or call any companies where fraudulent accounts have been opened in your child's name. Explain the situation, provide the Action Fraud crime reference number, and request that the accounts be closed and any adverse credit entries removed.
Place a Protective Registration
Register your child with CIFAS Protective Registration to add a warning flag to their identity. This means any organisation checking their details will carry out extra verification before opening an account.
Review and Secure Personal Data
Check where your child's personal information may have been compromised — data breaches, social media oversharing, or phishing attempts. Update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and ensure their personal details are not publicly visible online.
What not to do
- ✗Do not delay reporting — the longer identity theft goes unreported, the more damage can be done.
- ✗Do not blame your child if their information was shared innocently or through a data breach.
- ✗Do not pay any debts or bills that were fraudulently created in your child's name.
- ✗Do not dispose of any evidence — keep all correspondence and records.
Preserving evidence
Why this matters
If you need to report to authorities or a platform, evidence can help.
- •Keep all letters, bills, emails, and notifications that arrived in your child's name.
- •Save your Action Fraud crime reference number and any correspondence with companies where fraudulent accounts were opened.
How to talk to your child
- ✓Explain what has happened in age-appropriate terms. Older children should understand how personal information can be misused so they can protect themselves in future.
- ✓Reassure your child that this is not their fault and that you are sorting it out.
- ✓Use the experience as an opportunity to discuss online privacy, strong passwords, and being careful about sharing personal details.
Who to contact
Action Fraud
To report the identity theft and obtain a crime reference number
Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm
CIFAS
To place a protective registration on your child's identity
Online application available 24/7
Experian
To check your child's credit file for fraudulent activity
Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm; Saturday, 9am–6pm
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
If you believe a data breach has led to the identity theft
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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Quick Reference — My Child's Identity Has Been Stolen or Used Fraudulently
My Child's Identity Has Been Stolen or Used Fraudulently — Quick Reference
Safe Child Guide — safechildguide.com
Do this:
- 1. Gather all evidence — unexpected letters, bills, emails, or account notifications in your child's name. Check whether any accounts or credit agreements have been opened using their details by requesting a basic credit report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.
- 2. Report the identity theft to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their online reporting tool at actionfraud.police.uk. They will provide you with a crime reference number which you will need for subsequent steps.
- 3. Write to or call any companies where fraudulent accounts have been opened in your child's name. Explain the situation, provide the Action Fraud crime reference number, and request that the accounts be closed and any adverse credit entries removed.
- 4. Register your child with CIFAS Protective Registration to add a warning flag to their identity. This means any organisation checking their details will carry out extra verification before opening an account.
- 5. Check where your child's personal information may have been compromised — data breaches, social media oversharing, or phishing attempts. Update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and ensure their personal details are not publicly visible online.
Do NOT do this:
- ✗ Do not delay reporting — the longer identity theft goes unreported, the more damage can be done.
- ✗ Do not blame your child if their information was shared innocently or through a data breach.
- ✗ Do not pay any debts or bills that were fraudulently created in your child's name.
- ✗ Do not dispose of any evidence — keep all correspondence and records.
Stay calm. You are doing the right thing by looking for help. Your child needs your support, not your panic.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-30