Consider Freezing Your Child's Credit

Protect Your Child from Child Identity Theft

Credit Bureaus do not create credit files for minors. Fraudsters see this as an opportunity to apply for credit and take out loans using their name, birthdate, social security number, or other personal information. This identity theft is especially appealing to fraudsters as it may go undetected for years, until the child is a young adult and attempts to apply for credit for the first time. Consider placing a freeze on your child's credit report with all three bureaus to protect them from identity theft.

How to Freeze Your Child's Credit

1.  Gather three copies of the following documents.

• Your driver's license or government-issued ID
  
• Your birth certificate
• Your social security card
• Your child's birth certificate
• Your child's social security card
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement in your name)

2.  Print and complete a minor freeze request form for each credit bureau.

• Minor Security Freeze Request | Equifax
• Child Identity Theft Services | Experian
• Child Identity Theft Inquiry | TransUnion

3.  Digitally upload required documents directly to each credit bureau or mail a set of the listed documents from step 1 to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, along with that bureau's freeze request form.

• Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348
• Experian, P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion, P.O. Box 380 Woodlyn, PA 19094

Each bureau will send a confirmation of the freeze, along with steps to lift it. The steps may include a PIN, password or other identifier. Keep the identifier safe and secure. The freeze will remain in place until you or your child completes the lifting steps.