What on Earth is “Credit Freezing,” Why You Should Care, and How to Do It

Have you ever gotten a letter from a company that looks like this?

We've been hacked! Attackers stole all your information. We're very sorry :(

And you think to yourself, "What do you want me to do about it?" And you go about your day. "So what if someone knows my name, my address, my email," you rationalize. "That stuff is all over the internet."

Well, there are a few pieces of information that shouldn't be all over the internet, and one of those is a Social Security number. A Social Security number allows scam artists and hackers to use your identity to borrow money under your name if they have a few other easily available pieces of information.

If you already have a credit history, as most adults do, a bank might catch malicious activity and alert you. However, you might not catch a child's stolen Social Security number until you get mail asking to refinance four-year-old Bobby's mortgage, putting their financial future in jeopardy before they can buy a Camaro at 26.99% interest.

The fact is, it's a lot harder to bounce back from an identity theft than it is to prevent it in the first place, especially for your kids. Maybe you have been a victim of identity theft, maybe you're just a concerned parent -- regardless, here's what you need to know to freeze and protect your child's credit.

Which Credit Companies Do I Have to Contact?

There are three main credit bureaus in the U.S.: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If you think your child's identity might have been stolen, it's important to request a freeze from all three of these companies. Even if your credit is frozen at Equifax and Experian, someone could still open a line of credit with TransUnion.

How Do I Need to Contact Them?

Freezing your own credit can be done online with relative ease; freezing a minor's credit is harder. Since minors don't usually have credit history, the bureau needs concrete documentation to prove your and your child's identity. This means paper mail, so dust off your stamps. Fortunately for you, this article will tell you exactly what to put in the envelope for each credit bureau, where to send it, and what to expect.

Note: DO NOT send original documents, only copies. Here is information for each of the main credit bureaus:

Equifax

Fill out the Equifax credit-freeze form, print it out, and mail it with the following documents:

1. BOTH of the following, to prove your child's identity:
   1. A copy of the child's Social Security card
   2. A copy of the child's birth certificate
2. ONE of the following, to prove your identity:
   1. A copy of your driver's license or other government-issued identification
   2. A copy of your Social Security card
   3. A copy of your birth certificate
3. ONE of the following, to prove your relationship to your child:
   1. A copy of the child's birth certificate
   2. A copy of a court order
   3. A copy of a lawfully executed and valid power of attorney
   4. A copy of a foster care certification

Send all document copies and the freeze-request form to:

Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348

Experian

Fill out the Experian credit-freeze form on the website, (make sure you select the correct form out of three), print it out, and mail it with the following documents:

ALL of the following:

• A copy of your driver's license or other government-issued ID
• Proof of your current address, in the form of a utility bill or bank/insurance statement. You can include a copy if you want the original for your records.
• A copy of your child's birth certificate (if your name isn't on the birth certificate, include other proof of guardianship)
• A copy of your child's Social Security card

Send all document copies and the freeze request form to:

Experian, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

There is no form for TransUnion, so you must write a brief letter requesting the credit freeze. Here's what the letter needs to say, and which documents you'll need to mail along with it:

1. ONE written request to place a "Protected Consumer Freeze" on the named individual's file, including the following information:
   1. Your legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number
   2. Your child's legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number
   3. Your address
   4. A list of documents included in the envelope
2. ALL of the following to establish your identity:
   1. A copy of your Social Security card
   2. A copy of your driver's license or any other government-issued identification
3. ALL of the following to establish your child's identity:
   1. A copy of your child's Social Security card
   2. A copy of your child's birth certificate
4. If no birth certificate is provided, include ONE of the following to establish your authority to act on behalf of a minor:
   1. An order issued by a court of law
   2. A lawfully executed and valid power of attorney
   3. A guardianship or conservator document that is current and not expired, includes the protected consumer's name, with the name of the person on the court document matching the name of the person submitting the request
   4. With respect to a protected consumer in a foster care setting, a written communication from a county welfare or probation department, certifying that the protected consumer is in a foster care setting under its jurisdiction.

Send your written letter and all document copies to:

TransUnion, P.O. Box 380, Woodlyn, PA 19094

After I Send in the Necessary Documents, How Quickly Will My Child's Credit Be Frozen?

The legal requirement is within three business days after the company receives the request by mail.

Other Frequently Asked Questions:

Does Freezing/Unfreezing My Child's Credit Impact Their Credit Score? No.

Will Credit Unfreeze Automatically When My Child Turns 18? No, credit remains frozen indefinitely. You must put in a separate request to unfreeze credit. Your child can request to freeze/unfreeze their credit themself starting at age 16.

Can I Open a Line of Credit Using My Kid's Information to Buy a Boat? Please don't do this!

And there you have it! It takes a little effort, but if there's any indication your child's identity has been stolen, or if you simply want to be proactive with your child's future finances, freezing their credit is a critical way to prevent scams and malicious actors from taking what isn't theirs.

Wade Bartlett, a volunteer with Common Sense Media, contributed to this article.