It's one thing to protect your identity to protect your assets and your credit. But these days, some thieves are stealing the identity of people with no credit history at all—youngsters!

Armed with a child's Social Security number, thieves can assign that number to a different name and address, and then apply for credit cards, loans or other financial benefits. Some even use those SSNs to commit crimes. The theft can go undetected for years, until the kid applies for a loan. Due to ID theft, children have defaulted on loans, received speeding tickets in the mail or were charged with crimes they did not commit.

Where possible, do not give out SSNs; many offices use only the last four digits. Check how medical offices secure medical files. Teach your children safe Internet habits, especially on social media. And check the credit bureaus: has anyone established credit histories for your children?

For nearly 30 years, Mike Nickerson has owned and managed a small, full-service accounting practice in the Midcoast. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Southern Main and a master's degree in financial planning from Bentley University.

He is a past board member and president of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants and currently serves on the Maine Board of Accountancy.

An aged rock musician, Nickerson now finds musical enjoyment playing upright and electric bass in a variety of bands spanning folk to jazz music genres. He and his wife have three grown children, and they enjoy their free time hiking, kayaking, golfing, bicycling and motorcycling.

http://www.nickersonpa.com/