How to protect and check you CHILD’S credit report.
Identity theft of children is something that has been a BIG issue now days and is also very hard to detect. Because when you do detect it child might be already 18 and since it’s been going on for such a long period of time, its sometimes impossible to fix. Here are instructions on how you can prevent identify theft on your children and how to contact the 3 major credit bureaus.
Experian:
Minors 14 and older or their parents may request a credit report through Experian’s website, by calling 800-311- 4769, or through AnnualCreditReport.com. (If you suspect fraud, however, Experian says it’s best to work directly with the company from the outset.) If you’re checking on a younger child, or can’t get through the AnnualCreditReport.com online authentication process for an older child, you may write to Experian.
Experian requires parents or guardians to send the following documents by mail:
- A completed copy of a Minor Child Instructions form (Form Attache)
- A copy of the minor child’s Social Security card
- A copy of the minor child’s birth certificate
- A list of the minor child’s previous addresses for the past two years
- The minor child’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc. and date of birth
- A copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued identification card
- Proof of your address, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, or insurance statement
Address:
Experian
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
How to protect and check you CHILD’S credit report.
Equifax:
To obtain a copy of your child’s credit report (or to see if one even exists) from Equifax, send the following to the company:
Equifax requires parents or guardians to send the following documents by mail:
- A letter explaining that the minor child may be a victim of identity theft
- A copy of the minor child’s Social Security card or letter.
- A copy of the minor child’s birth certificate
- A copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued proof of identity that includes your current address
Address:
Equifax Information Services
P.O. Box 105139-Minor Child
Atlanta, GA 30374
TransUnion:
TransUnion has an online portal where parents or guardians can fill out and submit a Child Identity Theft Inquiry form: (Please copy and paste this link) https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/child-identity-theft-inquiry-form. When you submit this form you will find out whether there is a credit report in your child’s name. If there is, TransUnion will contact you for additional information. If you want a copy of the credit report, TransUnion might require you to separately request a copy of the report by mail.
- A copy of the minor child’s Social Security card
- A copy of the minor child’s birth certificate
- A list of the minor child’s previous addresses for the past two years
- The minor child’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc. and date of birth
- A copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued identification card
- Proof of your address, such as a copy of a bank statement or utility bill.
Address:
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
