Did you know that identity theft can happen to children? A toddler could be in debt for $25,000 or your teenager can have $100,000 in unpaid credit card activity. That’s a pretty scary thought isn’t it? How can this happen if they are only children or in some cases, babies? As long as there is a social security number, a thief can use that to open bank accounts and credit cards.
Imagine your child applying for college and can’t get financial aid because his credit id destroyed or shopping for a car only to be denied because his credit is in ruins. They had absolutely nothing to do with it yet they are paying the price of identity theft. Parents don’t know this happened and by the time they discover it, it’s too late. The three major credit reporting agencies are Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Here’s how to apply for your child’s credit report to monitor their credit history now and consistently in the future to ensure they are protected.
Equifax:
Parents or legal guardian can send their request to:
- Equifax Minor Child Department
- PO BOX 105139
- Atlanta, GA 30348
Additional information that will need to be sent includes:
- Copy of your child’s birth certificate
- Copy of parent’s ID or guardianship papers
- Copy of your child’s social security card
- Child’s address
- Child’s full name
- Child’s date of birth
Experian:
Send your request to:
- Experian
- PO BOX 9532
- Allen, TX 75013
Send a letter requesting a copy of your child’s credit report and the following information:
- Copy of parent’s driver’s license
- Proof of the parents address (copy of utility bills, bank statement, phone bill, etc)
- Copy of child’s birth certificate
- Copy of child’s social security card
- Listing of previous addresses in the last two years
- Child’s full name
Trans Union:
Start by sending an email to childidthft@transunion.com to request that your child’s credit file exists under their name or social security number. TransUnion will investigate and when they find the file, they will contact you via email and request the following information:
- Copy of your child’s social security number
- Your child’s address
- Your child’s full name
- Your child’s date of birth
- Parent’s driver’s license with current address
- Utility bill that has the same address
Send this information to:
Trans Union
PO BOX 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
Don’t let this happen to your child. Protect them now so their credit won’t be damaged when they’re older. Identity theft is all around us and no one is 100% protected, not even our children. Start now to monitor their account and ensure they have a clean slate when they are ready to buy that new car or start college.