How to tell a child that a parent is using their social security number?

I have just learned that my teen has an alert on their credit report. Being a minor I didn't think he would have one. I believe that his dad is using his own kid's social security number. How do I tell my child about this.

Also the child lives with his father and believes everything he tells the child. How can I tell my teen about this.

as a parent you need to protect your child,,I would call the social security and report it, and let them take it from there.

Show your kid the credit report.

But, you really should report the dad. My step-son's mother did that for years, and he knew nothing about it because he was living with us in another state. She got credit cards, bought a car, rented a huge apartment, put all utilities under his ss#, and defaulted on everything.

When he graduated from college, he tried to get an apartment, and found out that his credit was jacked up and will take at least 7 years to fix. The IRS even kept his first 3 tax returns because there were liens on HIS social security number.

It is just plain wrong, and ILLEGAL, for your child's father to ruin your child's credit before he/she has even started their adult life.

For your child's sake, you need to report the dad to the IRS, baby-daddy or not. Your child will thank you for it when he/she becomes and adult.

well my dad used my SS# and ruined my credit and I had creditors calling ME for payments on things that I did not buy! what your husband is doing is FRAUD ...

You don't have to tell the child, the police will when you contact them and they arrest him.

I would show the child the credit report. you can also have all debts wiped off your child credit report, just tell the creditors that this is a minor and show proof and they have to whip it off.

First you need to make sure it is his dad using his ss#. You said you think, you need to know for sure. Other people could have gotten ahold of the number and are using it, it is not hard to do on the internet. Get a copy of the credit report and then find out what his credit is being used for. You should be able to tell if his dad has anything to do with it. If it is his dad you need to report it. It will only hurt your son in the long run if his credit is no good. Good luck.