- The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) encourages parents, guardians, social works and other responsible parties to check with the three credit reporting agencies (CRAs) to see if their children under 18 years old have credit reports.
- Identity criminals can piece together parts of a minor’s personally identifiable information (PII) to create an identity, which is why checking a child’s credit report is so important.
- Each CRA has different requirements regarding how to obtain a child’s credit report. However, all will ask you to mail documentation. The ITRC recommends mailing the information via certified mail with a return receipt to ensure you are notified when your documentation is received.
- If the minor has a credit report on file, reach out to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion individually. If not, still consider freezing their credit. It serves as a preventative measure against future identity fraud.
- To learn more about how to check a child’s credit report, contact the ITRC. You can call toll-free by phone (888.400.5530) or use the live chat function on the company website www.idtheftcenter.org.
We encourage parents, guardians, social workers and other responsible parties to check with the three major Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs) to see if children under 18 have credit reports. This is usually due to someone using their personally identifiable information (PII) for financial gain. PII includes, but is not limited to, full name, Social Security Number (SSN) and birthdate.
Identity thieves can piece together parts of a minor’s PII with an adult’s PII to create an identity, frequently referred to as synthetic identity fraud. For this reason, you should ask the CRAs to conduct a thorough check of their systems, searching by more than just the SSN.
Are you looking for information on how to review your own credit report as an adult? Click here.
Writing to the CRAs
Each CRA has different requirements to inquire about or obtain a child’s credit report. However, all CRAs will ask that you mail documentation. We recommend mailing the information via certified mail with a return receipt to ensure you are notified when your documentation is received. As with any sensitive documentation, be aware of the potential for added exposure of PII when sending documents through the mail or uploading documents to a website. Practice smart privacy measures, such as shredding documents and securing your devices.
Equifax
Visit this website for more information. The link provides a list of the documentation you will need and asks that you provide a letter of explanation.
Experian
Visit this website for more information. The link provides a list of the documentation you will need to send, as well as a link to the form that needs to be filled out by the parent or guardian submitting the request.
TransUnion
Visit this website to learn about TransUnion’s process, and follow the link on the webpage for the form that needs to be filled out by the parent or guardian submitting the request.
If the minor does have a credit report on file:
You will need to reach out to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion individually. If credit is only found within one or two CRA reports, it is still a good idea to freeze credit with all three CRAs.
If the minor does not have a credit report on file:
Consider freezing their credit anyway; this serves as a preventative measure against future fraud. If you opt not to freeze their credit, continue to check each CRA at least once per year. It is vital to take these actions once a child turns 16, as this will allow you to address any potential issues before the minor becomes a legal adult, when they will likely rely on credit for things like loans (e.g., student or auto), renting an apartment, etc.
Regardless of whether a credit report exists, parents, guardians and child welfare representatives of minors can request a security freeze – also known as a credit freeze – on the child’s behalf. This step can help protect a young person from identity theft and fraud at no cost. Also, minors 16 or 17 years old can request their security freeze.
Next, read the Identity Theft Resource Center’s (ITRC) Info Sheet on How to Place a Credit Freeze.
Contact the ITRC
To learn more about how to check a child’s credit report, or if you believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact the ITRC. You can speak with an expert advisor toll-free by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting our website to live chat during our regular business hours Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-5 p.m. PST. You can leave a message for an advisor if you contact us outside of our business hours and we will respond the next business day. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.
