How to place a Credit Freeze for a minor

Placing a credit freeze for a minor is one of the most effective ways to prevent synthetic identity theft, where fraudsters combine a child's real Social Security number (SSN) with a fake name and birthdate to create a "clean" credit profile.

Because children usually don't have credit reports, this fraud can go undetected for over a decade until they apply for their first student loan or car lease.

• Blocks Unauthorized Accounts: A freeze prevents lenders from accessing a credit report, meaning most banks will automatically decline new credit card or loan applications opened in the child's name.

• Proactive Protection: Unlike adults, minors don't need active credit. Freezing it now ensures their "financial slate" remains clean until they actually need it at age 18.

• Neutralizes Stolen Data: Even if your child’s SSN is leaked in a data breach (like a school or hospital hack), it becomes significantly less valuable to hackers if the credit is frozen.

• Peace of Mind: It stops the "waiting game" of wondering if someone is racking up debt in your child's name that you'd have to clear up years later.

Because you are requesting a freeze on behalf of someone else, the credit bureaus require strict proof of identity and guardianship. You will need to make physical copies of these documents to mail in. Do not send original documents.

Gather one copy of each of the following:

• Proof of parent/guardian identity: A government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport.

• Proof of parent/guardian SSN: Your Social Security card.

• Proof of address: A recent utility bill, bank statement, or insurance statement in your name.

• Proof of the minor's identity: The child's Social Security card.

• Proof of guardianship: The child's birth certificate, a lawful power of attorney, a court order of guardianship, or a foster care certification.

https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/security-freeze-incapacitated-adult-minor/

Equifax requires you to use their specific form to process the request.

1. Go to the Equifax website and download the "Minor Security Freeze Request Form."

2. Print and fill out the form completely with your and your child's information.

3. Package the completed form alongside the copies of your gathered documents.

4. Mail the package via certified mail to: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788.

Experian allows you to start the process online, but you must still mail the final paperwork.

1. Navigate to Experian's "Child Identity Theft Protection" page online.

2. Select the option to "Add or remove a security freeze for a minor."

3. Fill in the required information in the online web form and print the completed document.

4. Package the printed form with the copies of your required documents.

5. Mail the package via certified mail to: Experian, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.

TransUnion does not have a specific form to download; instead, they require a formal written request.

1. Draft a letter stating that you are requesting a "protected consumer freeze" to be placed on your child's credit file.

2. Clearly list your child's full name, current address, date of birth, and Social Security Number in the letter.

3. Package the written letter with the copies of your gathered documents.

4. Mail the package via certified mail to: TransUnion, P.O. Box 380, Woodlyn, PA 19094.

[Your First and Last Name] [Your Street Address] [Your City, State, Zip Code] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address]

[Today’s Date]

TransUnion P.O. Box 380 Woodlyn, PA 19094

Subject: Request to Place a Protected Consumer Security Freeze

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally request a "Protected Consumer Security Freeze" be placed on the credit file of my minor child, for whom I am the parent and/or legal guardian.

Below is the necessary identifying information for my child:

• Minor's Full Name: [Child's First, Middle, and Last Name]

• Minor's Date of Birth: [Child's Date of Birth]

• Minor's Social Security Number: [Child's SSN]

• Minor's Current Address: [Child's Street Address, City, State, Zip]

Below is my identifying information as the requesting parent/guardian:

• My Full Name: [Your First, Middle, and Last Name]

• My Date of Birth: [Your Date of Birth]

• My Social Security Number: [Your SSN]

• My Current Address: [Your Street Address, City, State, Zip]

To provide sufficient proof of my identity, my child's identity, and my legal authority to act on their behalf, I have enclosed copies of the following documents:

1. A copy of my child's Social Security card.

2. A copy of my child's birth certificate (proving parentage/guardianship).

3. A copy of my government-issued driver's license.

4. A copy of my Social Security card.

5. A copy of my recent [utility bill / bank statement / insurance statement] to verify my current address.

Please establish a credit file for my child if one does not already exist, immediately place a security freeze on the file, and send me a written confirmation along with any PIN or password required to manage or lift the freeze in the future.

Thank you for your prompt assistance in protecting my child's identity.

Sincerely,

(Your Handwritten Signature)

[Your Printed Name]

Enclosures: [Number of pages you are attaching, e.g., 5] pages of supporting documentation.