How to Freeze Your Child's Credit (And Why You Should Do It Today)
A Problem Very Few Are Talking About
Here's something that might surprise you: over 1 million children were victims of identity theft in 2022 alone, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. Even more alarming? The average family doesn't discover their child's identity has been stolen until years later—often when the child applies for their first credit card, student loan, or job at age 16-18.
By then, the damage is done. We're talking thousands in fraudulent debt, destroyed credit scores before they even start, and months (sometimes years) of paperwork to undo it all.
I know this firsthand. I've had my identity stolen more than once (including the FBI being involved when someone once filed taxes fraudulently in my name, ugh). So I've had to learn the hard way about how to avoid this.
The good news? You can prevent this from happening to your kids in about 30 minutes with three envelopes.
I shared about this overall concept in Friday Five and one of the members of this community (thanks, Jenny!) got back to me with some more details she pulled together and we both thought having this laid out would help many parents.
Why Kids Are Prime Targets
Identity thieves love children's Social Security numbers because:
They're a clean slate—no existing credit history to trigger alerts
The fraud goes undetected for years (sometimes over a decade)
Thieves can build entire financial profiles before anyone notices
According to the FTC, children are 51 times more likely to be identity theft victims than adults. Their SSNs are often stolen through data breaches at schools, pediatrician offices, or even family members with access to their documents.
The Solution: Credit Freezes (They're Free!)
A credit freeze locks down your child's credit file so no one—including identity thieves—can open new accounts in their name. It's completely free, stays in place until you remove it, and is the single most effective way to protect them.
After dealing with the nightmare of identity theft myself—the hours on hold with credit bureaus, the police reports, the anxiety every time I get a credit alert—I'm not taking chances with my kids' identities.
What You'll Need
Gather these documents for each credit bureau:
Your documents:
Copy of your Social Security card OR driver's license
Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
Your child's documents:
Copy of birth certificate
Copy of Social Security card
Time needed: 20-30 minutes to complete all three forms
Step-by-Step: Freezing at All Three Bureaus
You need to freeze credit at all three major bureaus—lenders can pull from any of them.
Bureau #1: Equifax
📄 Download: Equifax Minor Freeze Form
📮 Mail to:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
Bureau #2: Experian
📄 Download: Experian Minor Freeze Form
📮 Mail to:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Bureau #3: TransUnion
TransUnion doesn't have an official form, but they accept written requests. See their minor freeze FAQ here.
Create a simple letter including:
Your information:
Full name, address, phone
Date of birth
Social Security Number
Your child's information:
Full name
Date of birth
Social Security Number
Address (same as yours)
Letter heading: "Request to Place a Protected Consumer Freeze on [Child's Name] File"
List your attachments: Parent's ID, child's birth certificate, proof of address
📮 Mail to:
TransUnion
P.O. Box 380
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Smart Moves for Success
✅ Send everything certified mail with return receipt—gives you proof and peace of mind
✅ Copy everything before you mail it
✅ Save those PINs! Each bureau will mail you a unique PIN. Store them somewhere safe (like with birth certificates)—you'll need them to unfreeze later
✅ Expect 3-4 weeks for processing
✅ Mark your calendar to follow up if you haven't heard back in a month
When You'll Need to Unfreeze
The freeze stays in place until you lift it. You'll likely unfreeze when your child:
Starts their first job (some employers run credit checks)
Applies for college or student loans
Wants to open their first credit card (around 18)
Rents their first apartment
Unfreezing is easy: Contact each bureau with the PIN they sent you. You can temporarily lift it for specific purposes or remove it permanently.
Real Talk: Is This Really Necessary?
Look, I get it. This feels like one more thing on an already overwhelming parenting to-do list. But here's how I think about it:
30 minutes now vs. months of cleanup later.
The families who discover their 16-year-old has $50,000 in fraudulent debt? They all wish they'd done this. Trust me—dealing with identity theft is one of the most frustrating, time-consuming experiences you can imagine. And when it's your child's identity? The stakes feel even higher.
This is one of those "set it and forget it" protections that gives you one less thing to worry about.
Plus, your kids will thank you when they're 18 and can start their financial lives with a clean slate instead of fighting to clear someone else's mess.
Common Questions
Does this affect my child's ability to get a job or apply to college?
Nope! Most employers don't run credit checks on minors, and you can temporarily unfreeze if needed.
What if my child doesn't have a credit file yet?
Even better—the freeze prevents one from being created fraudulently.
Can I do this online?
Not yet. All three bureaus currently require mail requests for minor freezes.
Is there a fee?
Absolutely not. Federal law makes credit freezes free for everyone, including minors.
Bottom Line
Identity theft is one of those "it won't happen to us" things until it does. A credit freeze is free insurance that takes less time than meal planning for the week.
Set aside 30 minutes this weekend, knock out all three bureaus, and cross this off your list for good.
Your future 18-year-old will thank you.
About The Author
Jessica Eastman Stewart is a consultant, workshop facilitator, and podcast guest expert. She teaches busy professionals how to get more organized at home and at work so they can stop feeling worn out and start living a Joyfully Managed Life®! Thousands of readers drop everything when her weekly newsletter, The Friday Five, arrives in their inbox. Every Friday, you’ll get FIVE amazing tips to help life feel INSTANTLY more joyful and easy!
