The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is advising parents and guardians to protect their children’s personal information as kids head back to class. With the new school year about to start and the activities such as school groups, teams and clubs, the department is calling on consumers to learn more about what they can do to help stem the tide against identity theft and prevent fraud victimization. Children’s identities are especially attractive to thieves because the theft often remains undetected for years.  For many child victims, the realization that their identities have been stolen does not occur until the first time they attempt to open a bank account, apply for a job, seek credit or rent an apartment.

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