Don’t Boss The  World.

 

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Why Children’s Identity Is Stolen The Most

Did you know that people who steal identities try to target children the most? That’s why it is so important to know how to protect your children’s social security number. You may ask yourself why this is so. Think about it for a minute. When was the last time you checked your children’s credit report? 

I can tell you I have 4 children and it never crossed my mind to check their credit report! Around 18 years, your Child’s credit report is not being checked. Wow! This is why identity thieves target children.

It could be years that the identity thieves will not get caught.

This really opened my eyes and made me realize that I don’t want any of my children to start off their adulthood with really bad credit because someone stole their social security number. 

I am here to tell you there is a way to protect your children NOW for free! 

How To Request A Security Freeze

In order to protect your children from identity theft you’ll need to request a security freeze that is free with each of the credit bureaus Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. 

I am going to walk you through each bureau process and provide links to their website. In order to request a credit freeze you have to be a parent or legal guardian.

 

When mailing documents to the credit bureau I would do certified mail, so you will know when they receive the documents! 

***** Do not send original documents! Make sure copies are legible. *****

 

Experian

For each child  under the age of (16) you will need to submit the following documentation: 

• Your child’s full name, with middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc…
•  Social Security number with a copy of their social security card
•  Date of Birth with a copy of their birth certificate
• Current mailing address and previous addresses for the past two years.

 

Information About You To Submit:

•  Full name, with middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc…
• Social Security number
• Date of Birth
• If you don’t have a birth certificate, A court order, and/or a lawfully executed and valid power of attorney or foster care certification.
• Current mailing address and previous addresses for the past two years.
• Provide a copy of a government-issued ID (Driver’s License, State ID etc…)
• One copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement, etc… Showing your current address and your name on the bill. (statements must be recent and have the date of issue.)
• The credit bureau is unable to accept credit card statements, voided checks, lease agreements, magazine subscriptions, or postal service forwarding orders as proof.
• Credit Freeze Form.
•  Mail the form and all documentation to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013,(remember certified mail) or Overnight Mail to Experian, 701 Experian Parkway, Allen, TX 75013.

 

Once Experian receives the information, the security freeze will be added to the minor’s credit file within 3 business days.

 

Removing The Credit Freeze

Here is the link to remove the credit freeze.

Equifax

For each child under the age of (16), you will submit the same documentation as explained with Experian (above).

 

• Submit the same documentation for yourself as mentioned for Experian (above). In addition, submit these as well:
  
• Minor security freeze request form on this form you can place a credit freeze, temporarily lift a credit freeze, or permanently lift a credit freeze.
• Mail form and all documentation to Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348 (remember certified mail).

Transunion

For each child under the age of (15), you will submit the same documentation as explained with Experian (above). In addition, you will need to submit to following documents:

 

• Submit the same documentation for yourself as mentioned for Experian (above).
• FYI see the age difference with Transunion compared to the other credit bureaus. 
• A written request to place a “protected consumer freeze” on the named individual’s file.
• Mail all documentation to TransUnion P.O. Box 380
  Woodlyn, PA 19094 (remember certified mail).

Removing The Credit Freeze

You will have to log in to your account online and then you can temporarily or permanently remove the credit freeze.

You can plan and schedule the credit freeze up to 15 days in advance to temporarily remove the credit freeze.

What Will Happen Next

After you mail in all the documents, you will receive in the mail from each credit bureau, a letter confirming the credit freeze with a personal identification number.

 

Make sure to keep these letters because when you want to lift the credit freeze permanently or temporarily you will need the personal identification number. 

Issues

You might run into some issues where the credit bureau might be able to process a few of your requests but not all. Make sure to open and read all letters.

 

I made this mistake, reading only some of my children’s’ letters and not reading the rest of them.

 

Some of my children didn’t receive any letters, which means they did not process the request. This is the reason I suggested to send certified mail. Also, some of my children did receive letters stating that the request could not be processed.

 

Don’t get upset about receiving this type of letter, simply call the credit bureau. 

Finished Reading:

Pick A Pine Tree: This is a picture book that I read with my children. I thought this book was really cute on picking a pine tree and decorating it. 

 

Tar Beach: This is a picture book about slavery and using your imagination on how to escape to wherever you want to go. I also read this with my children.

 

Make sure to look for used books!

 

My book Big Banks Small Thinking is currently self-published in a pdf file. Click here to get it!

 

 Comments: What have you done to protect your children’s credit? I’d love to here!