Scamsters can use the stolen Social Security numbers of children to get loans for homes and cars, the Federal Trade Commission warned Friday.

The FTC is urging parents to see if credit histories exist for their kids when they turn 16.

Usually, a child won’t have a credit report unless his or her Social Security number is being used by an identity thief, the commission said.

“Once a child’s—or anyone’s—Social Security number is stolen, it can be used by identity thieves. The thief might apply for car and mortgage loans, government benefits, credit cards, get a place to live and utilities, or even file taxes in your child’s name—and get a refund,” the agency warned.

The regulator said checking credit reports for ID theft and other errors—and having them corrected—when a child turns 16 can avoid potential hassles later when he or she applies for a credit card or a college or auto loan or submits an application for a job or an apartment.

When a child reaches 16, the FTC said a parent should ask all three credit bureaus online—Equifax, TransUnion and Experian—to do a manual search to see if the youngster has a credit history.