Updated: August 05, 2017

THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO LEARN WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM IDENTITY FRAUD.  WHILE STATE PRIVACY OF SCHOOL RECORDS LAWS GENERALLY PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF STUDENT RECORDS, PARENTS SHOULD ADOPT SOME GOOD HABITS TO HELP SAFEGUARD THEIR CHILDREN.  DON'T SHARE YOUR CHILD'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER UNLESS IT IS TO A TRUSTED SOURCE.  KEEP KID'S PERSONAL INFORMATION, SUCH AS BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND SCHOOL PAPERWORK, IN A SAFE AND SECURE LOCATION.  SHRED ANY OUTDATED DOCUMENTS CONTAINING CHILDREN'S INFORMATION BEFORE THROWING THEM AWAY.  LOOK FOR POSSIBLE WARNING SIGNS OF IDENTITY THEFT SUCH AS YOUR CHILD RECEIVING CREDIT CARD APPLICATIONS AND WHEN YOU ARE ASKED FOR KID'S PERSONAL INFORMATION, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS: HOW WILL THIS INFORMATION BE USED?, WHO WILL HAVE ACCESS?, HOW WILL IT BE KEPT SAFE? AND CAN I OPT OUT?  IN ADDITION TO THESE PROTECTION HABITS, STATE LAW GIVES PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS THE ABILITY TO ENACT A SECURITY FREEZE ON PERSONS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE.  WITH THE FREEZE IN PLACE, CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCIES CANNOT RELEASE THAT PERSON'S CREDIT REPORT OR INFORMATION DERIVED FROM THE REPORT UNLESS THE FREEZE IS REMOVED.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE WEBSITE TN.GOV/CONSUMER.