WWYD? Is this something to worry about?

[Minnie*J*]

I received a privacy notice from a bank for my 3 year old. The problem is that we don't have any accounts with this bank (they are not even close to me). I called the bank and they had someone call me back. I asked the lady why he received this. She asked for his social security number, I told her I was not giving it to her (especially because the bank name does not come up on my caller id). She asked if I would verify the last four numbers of his social from her. I told her to hold on why I found his card and when I found it, she no longer wanted to verify his number for me. She told me how she has to protect her costumers and the privacy notice was sent out by mistake. What I got from her is that his name is on the account with someone elses. She won't tell me what the account is, why his name is on it and who elses name is on it. She told me that she has to protect her customers. Since he is three, he is a minor and I am the parent. She told me that I have no right to know why he has an account there. What do I do know? Should I be worried about this? She asked me if any family member could have opened this account. I called everyone, and no one I talked to has but I am still waiting to hear back from some family members. For some reason, I feel uneasy about this.

 

[dawson5]

We had to paper file our taxes because someone used my middle son's social security number. I had to put a fraud alert on his credit (he's only 14) and I called the FTC I think. I even stopped in to the Social Security office, explained what happened and she checked to make sure I had the correct number, it was not a re-issued number and a few other things that I don't remember. She gave me a pamphlet on identity theft. That gave step by step instructions on what to do.

I would call one of the credit reporting agencies or the police and explain what happened. They might give you instructions on what to do.

Have you tried reverse number look up to see what that number was?

 

[mickeylove2]

Is it possible that someone put money into a CD for him? I have gotten mail from the bank for my DDs and this is why. Also, my mom has a savings account in my girls' names with her on it as well. I would be worried if neither of these is the case.

 

[Minnie*J*]

We had to paper file our taxes because someone used my middle son's social security number. I had to put a fraud alert on his credit (he's only 14) and I called the FTC I think. I even stopped in to the Social Security office, explained what happened and she checked to make sure I had the correct number, it was not a re-issued number and a few other things that I don't remember. She gave me a pamphlet on identity theft. That gave step by step instructions on what to do.

I would call one of the credit reporting agencies or the police and explain what happened. They might give you instructions on what to do.

Have you tried reverse number look up to see what that number was?

The number the lady from the bank called back on is unpublished but the original number I called from the privacy letter is listed to the bank.

 

[Minnie*J*]

Is it possible that someone put money into a CD for him? I have gotten mail from the bank for my DDs and this is why. Also, my mom has a savings account in my girls' names with her on it as well. I would be worried if neither of these is the case.

I'm not sure. I called family members but still waiting to hear back from some.

The lady that just called me back said that he is an association with the account and they do have his social security number (but she wouldn't verify the number nor would she tell me what type of association he is.

 

[wvjules]

I would go to the bank and ask for a manager to explain your situation. He is your minor child and no one had a right to open an account with his name on it. They need to tell you some more information and I dont think it will be given to you over the phone.

 

[Colleen27]

I'd start with two things - first, go to annualcreditreport.com and pull his free annual report, to make sure someone else isn't using his SS#. Second, I'd call around and talk to family to see if it might be something completely innocent; we receive notices in our kids' names for accounts a relative established in trust for each of them.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I work in financial services and it isn't unheard of for a grandparent or aunt / uncle to open up an account for a minor child. The part that isn't adding up to me is that the child's social security number is on the account and whoever set the account up would have had to have access to that information. That isn't something most people (other than the minor's parents) would normally have access to. I'll bet this was given to the child as a gift for something like when he was born or his Christening. Think back to three years. Is there anybody who would have asked you for that information back then?

 

[momof1princess]

OP, i would do as a PP suggested and pull your son's credit report. THEN, i would go to the bank with his birth certificate and my own ID and demand to speak to the manager, and i would not leave until i found out what was going on.
i know my advice sounds extreme, but my own mother took out a credit card in my grandmother's name and charged over $10,000 on it. yes, i know, my grandmother should have let her go to jail, it would have been the best thing that ever happened to her-instead, my grandmother paid off the credit card.
identify theft in families does happen, and if someone in your family has done this, they WILL NOT confess it (my mom didn't tell my grandmother-she found out when mom got behind on the credit card payments and the CC company started calling my grandmother), so honestly, i don't think waiting for call backs from relatives will be of much help, at least, not in my experience. i'm like you, i'd be going crazy sitting around waiting for phone calls that may never come. i wish you the best of luck.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Quite honestly, I'd call the bank back. Your son is 3. He's a minor. You are his legal guardian, his voice, his protection. Anything that they would have to say to him should be conveyed to you. I looked something like this up a year or so ago - once a child turns 14 (in PA), they can request their own information but until then, YOU must be the contact.

 

[midas]

I recently read an article about identity theft and a big market now is buying ss#'s that have never applied for any credit. The holders of these numbers are mostly kids. I would see if there is a credit report available and talk to the bank.

 

[Abbie]

I know when my kids received savings bonds when they were born, the bank did ask for a social. Could this be the case? Maybe a grandparent bought one when he was born, used the social to purchase it (although it's definitely not a requirement to purchase)?

If the bank won't release who else is on the account, I would also run a credit check and make sure there's not a mix-up on social security numbers.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It wouldn't hurt to pull the free credit report, but hopefully it will turn out to be an account given as a baby gift. - I know DS received savings bonds that required his number even back then.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Another vote for pull his credit report ASAP.

Then go to the bank directly armed with the info. Make an appt if you have to.

I would not conduct any sorting this out over the phone.

 

[SandrA9810]

I would look up the bank's phone number online rather than the one listed on the paper. That way you know you're calling the correct bank, and should show up on your caller ID as such.
If the bank doesn't have an answer for you, then that would raise even more flags that some one has stolen his social security number.

 

[Pooh Crew]

Could you take him into the bank with his social security card and withdraw the money?

 

[RadioNate]

Where did you get the number you called? From the paper they sent? Did they send a paper & email? This sounds phishy to me.

I'd look up the bank independently of the information you received and call that number.

There is NO WAY I'd give up a SSN, you were absolutely correct not to do that.

Yes you need SSNs for savings bonds but that shouldn't require an account set up.

 

[heart4pooh]

My controlling sister opened up savings accounts for each of my sons without my permission. She did not have their social security number or my permission to do so. When I called the bank they said I had no say in the matter. I got monthly statements from them for years. When she passed away I was given the amount in the banks by my other sister who was put on the accounts. She agreed that it was crazy to have accounts without my permission.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DH says that if a bank asks you for your social, it is a scam. So I guess my vote is that they are phishing.

You have been punked OP.

 

[Jennasis]

Yup...someone is attempting (and may have successfully) identity thefted your son! Go to the bank to be sure, but pull his credit report and put a fraud alert on it.