How Do I Check My Child’s Credit Report?

Does My Child Have a Credit Report?

The most common way for a child to have a credit report is for the parent to list the child as an authorized user on one of their credit card accounts. Typically, this happens with teenagers who may need a way to make purchases when they are not with a parent. As a matter of convenience, parents will add the child as an authorized user so they can use the credit card.

While not all lenders report authorized-user accounts to the credit reporting companies, many do. In those cases, the lender will report the account, creating a credit report using the minor's identifying information. (Some credit card issuers don't report authorized-user activity for children until they turn 18; contact your issuer directly to find out their policy.)

Identity theft is another reason a child could have a credit report. A fraudster, who could even be a relative or acquaintance with access to the child's Social Security number, may apply for credit accounts or obtain services such as electricity or government assistance in the child's name. This will create a credit report, and could already have a negative effect on the child's credit.

Besides fraud, your child may have a credit report because someone with a similar name used their name to apply for credit erroneously.

Learn more: What's the Minimum Age for an Authorized User?

How Do I Check My Child's Credit Report?

If you're concerned that someone may have fraudulently used your child's data to open credit accounts, you can check to see if credit reports exist for your child at the three credit bureaus.

At Experian, you can request a minor's credit report using an online form. You'll have to provide documents to verify your identity, such as:

• A copy of your driver's license or another government-issued ID
• Proof of your address
• A copy of your child's birth certificate
• Proof of guardianship, if your name isn't on the child's birth certificate
• A copy of your child's Social Security card

You can submit your request and the supporting documents online at experian.com/upload. If you prefer, you can also mail the documents to:

Experian
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

You'll typically be notified within 10 to 15 days whether Experian has a credit report for the minor. You'll get a response by email if you submitted the request online or at your mailing address if you submitted it by mail.

At Equifax, you must submit a request along with your verification documents (similar to those required by Experian, above) by mail, and at TransUnion, you can use an online form.

How to Protect Your Child From Fraud

To protect your child from identity theft, follow these best practices:

• Secure your child's documents. Lock up important documents like Social Security cards, birth certificates and passports, ideally in a safe or a safety deposit box outside the home. That will help prevent theft in a burglary, or theft by family members or acquaintances who could then use the documents to commit fraud.
• Avoid sharing Social Security numbers. Only share your child's Social Security number when it's truly needed, such as with the IRS. Avoid writing it down in your house or keeping it saved on your computer where someone else could access it.
• Secure personal data on old devices. Deleting your and your child's data from an old phone or laptop won't prevent a fraudster from getting at your sensitive personal information. Instead, store the old devices in a safe or destroy them by following the manufacturer's instructions. You can also use a dedicated recycling service that can confirm the device is free of your data.
• Share your data instead of your child's. When your child wants to sign up for a membership, event or loyalty club, give out your email address, birthdate and phone number instead of your child's. That way, you can watch for any signs of misuse of that data.
• Keep tabs on social media. Teach your child to use safe social media practices and explain the risks of sharing their personal information. As a parent, it's crucial that you avoid inadvertently giving out their data, too, in your own posts, and limit what you share using restricted privacy settings.

What to Do if Your Child Is a Victim of Fraud

If your child does have a credit report as the result of fraudulent accounts, take the following steps:

1. Contact the credit bureaus. Call Experian at 888-397-3742 and speak with a customer service representative to explain that your child is a minor and to dispute any fraud-related items on the report. Do the same with Equifax and TransUnion.
2. Place a fraud alert on your child's credit report. You have the right to place an initial fraud alert on your child's credit report, which lasts for 12 months (and can be renewed). This alert will notify lenders that a fraudster may be trying to use your child's information to obtain credit or services in their name. Requesting a fraud alert through one credit bureau creates an alert at all three. You'll need to contact each one separately, however, to remove the alert before it expires.
3. Report the fraud to the authorities. File a police or identity theft report with local law enforcement indicating that your child is a victim of identity theft. Send a copy of the report to the credit bureaus. You can also file an identity theft report with the FTC and get a personalized plan for what to do next.
4. Notify creditors about the fraud. Use the contact information appearing on the credit report to reach out to the companies who have accounts in your child's name. Let them know the account is due to fraud and request an investigation.
5. Consider a credit freeze. If you wish, you have the right to also freeze your child's credit file. It's free, and prevents potential new lenders from accessing their credit report should someone attempt to apply for credit in their name.

The Bottom Line

Checking whether your child has a credit report is the first step toward ensuring they start their credit journey strong. They may have a report due to their status as an authorized user on your own account, which is a worthwhile way for them to build credit as a minor. But if they have a credit report due to fraudulent activity, it's crucial to address it quickly with the credit bureaus, financial institutions and law enforcement. That will help prevent the fraud from damaging their credit before they've had the opportunity to strengthen it on their own.