(RALEIGH) -- Many of us take steps to protect ourselves from identity theft, but you might not think to protect the youngest members of your family as well. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said kids can become victims just like anyone else who has a social security number.

"And some thieves have actually stolen those numbers, set up loans or credit cards in the name of the child and they have established loans and credits and, of course, not paid them," said Cooper.

Cooper recommends that parents check to see if there is a credit report in their child's name. He said kids often do not find out they are victims until they are old enough to start establishing their own credit.