Child Identity Theft: How to Freeze and Protect Your Child’s Credit
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What is child identity theft?
Child identity theft is when a minor’s personal information is used to open fraudulent accounts in their name. A child's identifying information, such as a child’s Social Security number or birth date, can be used to apply for credit cards, loans and government benefits and open bank and utility accounts.
Identity theft can damage a child’s credit, making it difficult for them to get loans, jobs or apartments in the future.
How does child identity theft occur?
Child identity theft can happen when someone obtains a kid’s information through stolen documents, data breaches or phishing scams.
"Credit bureaus don't knowingly create credit files for minors," says Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit that helps with ID theft prevention and recovery. "However, child identity theft continues to occur because the verification system for Social Security numbers continues to have challenges."
Thieves may even “create” a consumer by blending a child’s Social Security number with a different name, address and birth date, a practice called synthetic identity theft. Because parents have little reason to check whether a credit record exists for their child, the crime can go undetected for years.
Velasquez recommends that parents freeze their children’s credit, as it is one of the most proactive actions a parent or caretaker can take. A freeze will prevent criminals from using the child’s personal data to take out credit.
How to protect your child from identity theft
Freeze your child’s credit
To help protect against child ID theft, parents and guardians can request the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) freeze the credit of a child younger than 16. If no credit file exists for the child — which should be the case — the credit bureaus must then create a file and freeze it. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds may request a freeze themselves (Experian allows minors age 14 or older to place their own freezes).
You can freeze the credit of one or more minor children using the following steps:
1. Gather the needed documents to freeze your child's credit
The credit bureaus have slightly different requirements for freezing a child's credit. But to make the process simple and streamlined, send the same set of documents to each one. Each bureau will disregard extra documentation.
Here’s what you need to cover all three bureaus’ requirements. Make three sets of copies to cover each bureau; don't send originals:
Your government-issued ID (usually a driver’s license).
Your birth certificate.
Your child’s birth certificate or other document showing you have the authority to act on the child’s behalf (foster care certification, power of attorney or court order).
Your Social Security card.
Your child’s Social Security card.
A utility bill or bank or insurance statement with your name and address on it.
Sort the copies into three piles, one for each credit bureau.
2. Fill out child freeze request forms for all three credit bureaus
If you're requesting freezes for more than one child, you'll need to fill out a form for each one. You can download the necessary forms from Equifax and Experian.
TransUnion has a child ID theft inquiry form you fill out online to see if your child’s Social Security number is attached to a credit file.
3. Mail the request and document copies
You will send each form or letter, along with copies of documents, to each credit bureau. Equifax and Experian list their mailing addresses on their freeze request forms. You can find TransUnion's address on its freeze center page.
Because you are mailing sensitive personal information, use certified mail to get delivery confirmation.
4. Wait for confirmation of the freeze, then store it securely
Within three business days of receiving your mailed request, the credit bureau should place the freeze. The bureau must also send a notice by mail confirming the freeze within five business days of the request, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says. This letter should include information about how to lift the freeze (whether that's using a PIN, password or another method). Keep this information in a safe place .
The freeze will remain in place until you or your child unfreezes it later to apply for a credit card, car loan, student loans or other credit.
Other ways to prevent child identity theft
Freezing your child’s credit reports will keep a criminal from opening credit in your child’s name, but it doesn't protect your child from identity theft entirely.
You can adopt habits to guard against child identity theft and teach your child to do the same.
Protect Social Security numbers. Many forms ask for a Social Security number without much explanation of how that information will be used. Unless you are told why that field is necessary and how the information will be protected, leave it blank.
Pay attention to mail. What's in your mailbox can provide clues about potential fraudulent activity in your child's name. For example, a credit preapproval offer in your child’s name doesn't necessarily indicate identity theft, but it's worth investigating. Correspondence from a collection agency addressed to your child is a huge red flag.
Keep your child’s documents locked away. Birth certificates and Social Security cards shouldn't be in your purse, wallet or car. Safeguard anything with that information in your own home. That means keeping paperwork with Social Security numbers inaccessible, possibly in a home safe or locked file cabinet, out of reach from service people and visitors.
Be careful about what you and your child share on social media. Fraudsters use even the smallest nuggets of personal information to piece together potential bank and other passwords.
Monitor health insurance claim information. A claim that doesn't make sense to you can indicate that your child’s personal information has been used to access health insurance benefits.
Wipe all electronics before disposing of them. Getting a new phone or computer laptop can be exciting, but don’t forget to erase the hard drives and reset phones to factory settings before recycling or reselling them. Most of these electronics contain private information and passwords that you don’t want to share.
Consider using an identity theft protection service. Some identity theft protection services monitor your child’s credit or the dark web for use of their information, and they may help you create a fraud recovery plan if needed.
What to do if you discover child identity theft
If you’re preparing to freeze your child’s credit and find an existing credit report, receive a suspicious bill in the mail or discover another red flag, it’s important to take immediate action. Here’s what to do:
Contact the companies where fraudulent accounts were opened in the minor’s name and close them. Some companies have fraud departments you can work with directly. Be sure to ask for written confirmation that your child never opened the accounts, which might be useful in the future.
Freeze your child’s credit with all three credit bureaus and dispute any incorrect information that appears on their credit reports.
Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
