Cyber
If your child is under 16, a parent or legal guardian can request a free credit freeze at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Per the FTC, that freeze stays in place until you tell the bureaus to remove it, and the process for a minor is different from an adult freeze. Minors who are 16 or 17 may request and remove a security freeze themselves. A child freeze is not an antivirus product and does not require paid identity monitoring — Microsoft Defender remains a valid buy-nothing choice for the home PC. This page is only the child/minor how-to. For the separate adult decision between a freeze and paid monitoring, use credit freeze vs identity monitoring.
Why freeze a child's credit
Child identity theft happens when someone uses a child's Social Security number, name and address, or date of birth to get services or commit fraud — for example government benefits, a bank or credit card account, a loan, a utility, or a rental. A freeze makes it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in the child's name. The FTC says placing or lifting a credit freeze is free and does not affect a credit score. You do not have to wait for a breach or known theft to freeze.
How to request a child credit freeze (numbered steps)
- Confirm age and who can request. Under 16: parent or guardian requests the freeze. Ages 16–17: the minor may request and remove a security freeze themselves (FTC).
- Plan to contact all three bureaus. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each need their own request. Adult online freeze portals are usually not the same path as a minor freeze.
- Use current bureau contacts and each bureau's child-freeze instructions. Start at IdentityTheft.gov credit bureau contacts. Follow each bureau's current minor/child freeze instructions — do not rely on outdated phone scripts or third-party "click here" ads.
- Gather documents you may need. The FTC says you may have to provide copies of: your government-issued ID; proof of your address (utility bill, or a credit card or insurance statement); the child's birth certificate; the child's Social Security card. If you are not the parent, you may also need documents proving you are the legal guardian.
- Submit a freeze request at each bureau using that bureau's listed child-freeze process. Keep confirmation letters or emails.
- Treat the freeze as lasting until you remove it. The FTC: the freeze stays until you tell the bureaus to remove it.
- Optional check: does the child already have a credit report? Generally a child under 18 should not. Contact the three bureaus and ask for a manual search of the child's Social Security number (same contacts page above).
Child freeze vs adult freeze vs fraud alert
| Topic | Child / minor freeze | Adult freeze | Fraud alert (short note) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who requests | Parent/guardian if under 16; 16–17 may self-request/remove | The adult (anyone, any reason) | Different tool — lenders verify identity; does not block report access the same way |
| Cost (FTC) | Free | Free to place or lift | Free (initial / extended / active duty types exist) |
| How long | Until you tell bureaus to remove it | Until you lift it | Time-limited by alert type — not a substitute for a freeze |
| Process | Differs from adult; follow each bureau's child instructions | Contact all three bureaus | Usually place with one bureau; that bureau notifies the others |
| Where this site covers it | This page | Credit freeze vs identity monitoring | Adult comparison guide — not expanded here |
Fraud alerts are not the same as a freeze. If you need the adult freeze-versus-paid-monitoring decision, use credit freeze vs identity monitoring. This page stays on the child how-to.
Warning signs and what to do if you suspect child ID theft
FTC warning signs include: contact about a child's overdue bill you did not open; denied government benefits because someone is already using the child's SSN; an IRS letter about unpaid income taxes for the child; a student loan denied because of bad credit on the child's file. If someone is using the child's information:
- Report and close fraudulent accounts with each company involved. Ask for written confirmation that the child is not responsible.
- Tell all three credit bureaus and ask them to remove fraudulent accounts from the child's report. Use bureau contacts.
- Freeze the child's credit (under-16 free freeze until you remove it; 16–17 may self-request/remove).
- Report child identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov with as many details as possible.
If a household email may have been in a breach, pair with check email data breach. If an adult card was hit, use credit card fraud first hour.
Protect the child's SSN day to day
Before sharing a child's Social Security number (including at school), the FTC suggests asking: Why do you need it? How will you protect it? Can you use a different identifier? Can you use only the last four digits? Keep documents with the child's personal information in a safe place; shred before disposal. Wipe personal information before you get rid of a computer or phone.
FAQ
Can I freeze a child's credit report for free?
Yes. The FTC says if the child is under 16, you can request a free credit freeze, and a credit freeze itself is free to place or lift. It does not affect credit score.
How long does a child credit freeze last?
Until you tell the credit bureaus to remove it.
Is the process the same as an adult freeze?
No. The FTC states the process for getting a freeze for a minor is different than for an adult. Follow each bureau's current child-freeze instructions via IdentityTheft.gov credit bureau contacts.
What if my child is 16 or 17?
Minors who are 16 or 17 may request and remove a security freeze themselves (FTC).
Do I need paid identity monitoring or a new antivirus to freeze a child's credit?
No. A child freeze is free at the bureaus. It is not an antivirus product. Buy-nothing / Microsoft Defender is valid for the home PC — see is Microsoft Defender enough. Paid monitoring is a separate adult comparison on credit freeze vs identity monitoring.
Should my child under 18 already have a credit report?
Generally no. To check, contact the three bureaus and ask for a manual SSN search. You may need ID, proof of address, the child's birth certificate and SSN card, and guardian documents if you are not the parent.
Where do I report child identity theft?
IdentityTheft.gov. Include as many details as possible.
If you still want a paid suite
You do not need a paid suite or paid identity monitoring to freeze a child's credit. The FTC path is free freezes at the three bureaus plus IdentityTheft.gov if fraud is already happening. Microsoft Defender is a valid buy-nothing choice for everyday PC protection: is Microsoft Defender enough. If the household later wants a paid security suite for device protection (separate from this freeze), compare on-site paid pages only: TotalAV, Norton, Bitdefender, McAfee, Avast.