The summer flew by, and it’s time to head back to school. You’re probably busy filling out forms and getting your kids ready for the new year. Health forms, permission slips, and emergency contact forms all require personal information. Maybe it’s more than your comfortable sharing, and what if this information falls into the wrong hands? For example, a child’s Social Security number can be used by identity thieves and other criminals to apply for government benefits, open a credit card, apply for a loan, or rent a place to live. Even worse, when children are victims of identity theft, the crime may go undetected for years until they apply for a job, a student loan, or want to rent an apartment.
Community Bank recommends you follow these simple steps to protect your children from identity theft and to ensure their financial security.
1. Find out who has access to your child’s personal information, and verify that the records are kept in secure locations.
2. Pay attention to materials sent home that ask for personal information. Before you reveal any personal information about your child, find out how it will be used, whether it will be shared, and with whom. Be particularly vigilant about sharing your child’s Social Security number and only provide it when absolutely necessary.
3. Read the annual notice schools must distribute that explains your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This federal law protects the privacy of student records, and gives you the right to (1) review your child’s education records; (2) consent to the disclosure of personal information in the records; and (3) ask to correct errors in the records.
4. Ask your child’s school about its directory information policy. Student directory information can include your child’s name, address, date of birth, telephone number, email address, and photo. FERPA requires schools to notify parents about their school directory policy, and gives you the right to opt-out of the release of directory information to third parties.
5. Ask for a copy of your school’s policy on surveys. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) gives you the right to see surveys and instructional materials before they are distributed to students.
6. Consider programs that take place at the school but aren’t sponsored by the school. Your child may participate in programs, like athletic and musical activities, that aren’t formally sponsored by the school. These programs may have websites where children are named and pictured. Read the privacy policies of these organizations, and make sure you understand how your child’s information will be used.
7. Take action if your child’s school experiences a data breach. Contact the school and talk with teachers, staff, or administrators about the incident and their practices. Keep a written record of your conversations.
Community Bank staff is always available to help you with any other concerns or questions you may have regarding your child’s financial security. Call us at 708.660.1000, we would be happy to talk with you.