Call 4 Action
Safeguarding information on school forms
MILWAUKEE - Could some of those back to school forms that you are asked to complete be putting you or your child at risk for identity theft?
Schools have good reasons for asking for some information, especially for emergency contact purposes or to alert them of a health condition that could arise while your child is at school.
However, some of these forms may go so far as to ask for health insurance information, Social Security numbers, or other information that could put you or your child at risk for identity theft.
Others may be used for the purpose of creating a school directory, or to market a particular product or service.
What can parents do to protect this information from getting into the wrong hands?
Before you provide this information, ask questions like:
- Who will have access to this information?
- How will it be protected by the school?
- What kind of information is shared in a directory?
- How do i opt out of having this information shared?
What do you do if you cannot get satisfactory answers or have additional concerns?
Err on the side of caution and only provide information that you are comfortable sharing.
If you cannot get your questions answered by the school, contact the school's district office, the state's Department of Public Instruction, or the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U. S. Department of Education.
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