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Security Freezing a Minor's Credit Report

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KneelBeforeZod
Frequent Contributor

Security Freezing a Minor's Credit Report

Hello Fello FICO'ers,

 

My question of the day.  Have any of you locked your child's credit report to make sure stuff cannot ever be opened in their name?  With all the hacks that have happened (including the latest one at Anthem Insurance), my wife and I wonder if its a good idea in case her information was ever obtained.  I know that there is some verbiage that an actual report needs to be generated or exist before a freeze can be issued.

 

I know that this sounds completely over-necessary, but I'd really hate for my kid to be compromised. Anyone out there do this?

 

Thank you in advance for your comments and feedback!

Current Scores (Dec 20, 2015) - EQ=719 EX=739 TU=740
Message 1 of 5
4 REPLIES 4
AndySoCal
Senior Contributor

Re: Security Freezing a Minor's Credit Report

The best way to fix the isue is to remove him/her from the card(s) you have added him/her to. There is no reason for a child to have a credit profile it does not help them wait until they needed it.

FIC Scores XPN v8 808 V2 831 (SDFCU) TUC V 8 803 07/25 EFX Bankcard v8 822 EFX FIC0 v8 800 Vantage score 4.0 817 via JC Penney
JC Penney 10/2008 4,700 US Bank Cash 08/2010 12,000 Citibank Custom Cash 5/2015 14,100, State Dept. FCU 06/2023 25,000 02/2024 Redstone FCU Signature VISA 10,000 08/23/2024 Commonwealth Credit Union 15000 07/25
Banking: Lafayette FCU Fortera FCU State Department FCU Redstone FCU Hughes FCU Commonwealth FCU
My personal blacklist Axos Bank, Bank of America, Synchrony Bank Capital One TD Bank Comerica Bank BMO US Bank Wells Fargo
Message 2 of 5
TravellingNomad
Established Contributor

Re: Security Freezing a Minor's Credit Report

From the sound of it, your child does not have any credit file as of yet (correct me if im wrong). With that being said, there is no reports to put on ice. If you added your child as an AU to one of your cc's that report (AU accts) to the 3 bureaus, then you can submit a request to them. I understand that you are just taking preventive measures, but if there is no credit profile, there is no credit report.

Message 3 of 5
disdreamin
Valued Contributor

Re: Security Freezing a Minor's Credit Report

From Experian's web site:  "Some states now require that a credit report be created if none exists in order to add a credit freeze. For those states Experian will create the report and add the freeze at the parent’s request upon receiving the required documentation."

 

Regarding NY State (because I happen to reside there), per Experian's web site again:   

"In addition, a protected consumer according to New York state law is a consumer under 16 years of age at the time of the request.

To request a security freeze for a protected consumer in your care, submit all of the above information for both you and the protected consumer.

Please include a copy of the minor's birth certificate and a copy of the minor's Social Security card.  Once we have received your request and all of the required information for both you and the minor, a freeze will be placed on the minor's credit file. If a credit file for the minor does not currently exist, a file for the minor will be created.  Experian does not knowingly maintain credit information on minors.  If you are the minor's guardian, be sure to include a copy of the operator's license, court document naming you as the guardian or other appropriate court appointed documents. "

 

Emphasis mine on the above quotes.  A google search on the topic will yield lots of results, but it does appear to matter what state you reside in how the process would be handled, especially with regards to minors with no credit file.

 

Message 4 of 5
jai8694
Valued Member

Re: Security Freezing a Minor's Credit Report

My 13 son received a prepaid debit card from ACE check cashing and I could not for the life of me figure out why. I attempted to "check his credit report" and to my astonishment there were not only verification questions for me to answer but the kicker was I recognized nothing. I immediately searched the websites for all 3 CRA's to find out how I would go about requesting my child's file and having a freeze placed on it. I sent them copies of the certified birth certificate, a copy of the ss card, my drivers license and other documentation to verify my identity. When I heard back from TU and EQ I was told to send in the same info I had already sent in...**bleep**! I just want to make my sure my child does not have issues prior to his being of age to need credit. I never qualified for credit cards in college with all my friends because my file was messed up by my mom...using me and my siblings info for phones and electricity once it was disconnected in her name for nonpayment. I dont want my child wondering why they are having difficulty trying to obtain credit when they need it. I thought I was doing the right thing but I guess I am doing wrong maybe?

No score updates for 6 months is the plan while I garden
Message 5 of 5
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