How do you check if a minor child has utility bills in their name without their knowledge?

Answer 1

If you're under the assumption that someone opened an account under your child's name, you would first want to order credit reports under your child's name. You can get one free per calendar year form the credit bureaus per federal law. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for these free reports. If the person has opened a utility account under the child's name, you want to make sure no one has gone that one step further and opened up a credit account of some kind. PLUS if the utility accounts ever go delinquent, it will end up on thier reports.

If you have any idea where (what town/city) these accounts may have been opened, call the companies directly and inquire. Ask if an account has been opened and explain that you think these accounts may have been opened fradulently.

Thirdyly, you may want to put a quick fraud alert on your child's credit reports. This isn't harmful in any way and will show initial preventative action if the utility bills go into default.

Since you can't go into someone's mailbox and look through or take their mail (federal offense), you may want to talk to the police if you find stronger evidence. They may also have more places you can contact to research. They will also want to help since whomever did it is commiting identity fraud.

Answer 2

The two people who answered actually won't be able to pass a reading test lol! without their knowledge you are talking about without the child's consent. I would call the utility co. and tell them what I suspect. unless you have something to hide.

Answer 3

check the mail for a bill? What are you hiding from the child? If you are the parent, you have every right to know if they or someone else is doing this. It is illegal.

Answer 4

Just confront the child. I can see where the child's "sneekiness" may have come from.