Children's Social Security numbers are valuable to identity thieves because they're clean. There's no credit history to check, no fraud alerts, and often no one looks at the credit report until the child turns 18 and applies for their first loan or credit card. By then, the damage is done.
A credit freeze prevents anyone from opening new credit accounts using your child's information. It's free by federal law, and there's no downside since your child shouldn't need credit anyway.
Don't Pay for "Child Identity Protection"
Services that charge monthly fees to "protect" your child's identity are largely unnecessary. A credit freeze does the job for free. These paid services often just monitor for problems after they happen. A freeze prevents the problem in the first place.
Documents You'll Need
To freeze your child's credit, you'll need to prove your identity and your relationship to the child. Gather these documents before starting:
- Child's birth certificate (copy)
- Child's Social Security card (copy)
- Your government-issued ID (copy of driver's license or passport)
- Proof of your address (utility bill, bank statement)
- Proof of guardianship (if you're not the birth parent)
Freezing at Equifax
Equifax allows online requests for minor credit freezes:
- Go to equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
- Select "Add a freeze for a minor"
- Create an account if you don't have one
- Upload required documents
- Submit the request
You can also mail documents to:
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
Freezing at Experian
Experian requires mailing or faxing documents:
- Download the "Request to Add a Security Freeze to a Minor's Credit File" form from Experian's website
- Complete the form
- Include copies of all required documents
- Mail to:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
You can also fax to: 1-972-390-3837
Freezing at TransUnion
TransUnion also requires mailing documents:
- Write a letter requesting a credit freeze for your minor child
- Include your name, child's name, both addresses, child's date of birth, and child's Social Security number
- Include copies of all required documents
- Mail to:
TransUnion
P.O. Box 380
Woodlyn, PA 19094
What Happens After You Request a Freeze
Each bureau will process your request and respond by mail:
- If no credit file exists: The bureau will create a protected record and apply the freeze. This is the most common outcome for children.
- If a credit file exists: This could indicate identity theft has already occurred. The bureau will freeze the file and you should investigate further.
Keep the confirmation letters and any PINs provided. You'll need these to lift the freeze when your child eventually needs credit.
Signs Your Child's Identity May Already Be Compromised
Check for these warning signs before freezing:
- Your child receives pre-approved credit card offers
- Collection agencies call looking for your child
- Your child is denied government benefits due to existing benefits claimed with their SSN
- You receive IRS notices about unreported income under your child's SSN
- A credit file already exists when you request the freeze
If you see these signs, freeze the credit immediately and consider placing a fraud alert. You may need to work with the bureaus to remove fraudulent accounts.
When to Unfreeze
Your child will need to lift the freeze when they:
- Apply for student loans
- Apply for their first credit card
- Apply for an apartment that requires a credit check
- Get a job that requires a background check (some include credit)
Unfreezing is also free. You can lift the freeze temporarily for a specific creditor or time period, then let it refreeze automatically.
Bottom Line
Freezing your child's credit is free, prevents identity theft, and has no downside since children don't need credit. Do it at all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Don't pay for "child identity protection" services when a free freeze does the job better. Keep the confirmation letters and PINs safe for when your child eventually needs to unfreeze their credit.