How to Check a Minor’s Credit Report

While individuals typically establish credit histories in adulthood, a credit report may exist for someone under 18. Parents and legal guardians should understand why such a report might exist and how to access it. This guide outlines the process for checking and addressing a minor’s credit report.

Reasons a Minor Might Have a Credit Report

The main reason a minor might have an active credit report is identity theft. Children are appealing targets because their Social Security numbers are often unmonitored for years, allowing fraudulent activities to go undetected. This can lead to fraudulent accounts, loans, or utility services opened in the child’s name, potentially remaining undiscovered until adulthood.

Another scenario is when a minor is added as an authorized user on an adult’s credit card account. While sometimes done to help build credit history, not all card issuers report authorized user activity for minors. If reported, this activity would appear on the minor’s credit report. Data entry errors by creditors or credit bureaus can also inadvertently create a credit file for a minor.

Gathering Information Before Requesting a Report

Before contacting credit bureaus, gather all required documentation and information. You will need proof of the minor’s identity, including a copy of their birth certificate and Social Security card.

Proof of your identity as the parent or legal guardian is also necessary, such as a government-issued identification (e.g., driver’s license) and a recent utility bill or bank statement. Additionally, provide proof of your relationship to the minor, such as a birth certificate listing you as a parent or a court order.

A formal request letter is also needed. The letter should state your intention to check for a minor’s credit report due to potential identity theft. It must include the minor’s full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address, along with any previous addresses. Your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current and previous addresses should also be included.

Steps to Request a Minor’s Credit Report

Contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each requires a separate submission of your request. Send copies of all prepared documents, not originals, as they will not be returned.

Mail requests to:
Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian, National Consumer Assistance, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion, Fraud Victim Assistance Department, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000

Anticipate a response from each bureau after mailing your requests. Experian typically responds within 10 to 15 days. Other bureaus will have similar response times, and they may follow up if additional information is needed.

Actions After Obtaining a Report

If a credit report is found, review it thoroughly for inaccuracies, unfamiliar accounts, or suspicious activity, such as unrecognized accounts, inquiries, or collections.

If you identify fraudulent accounts or erroneous information, dispute these items directly with each credit bureau where they appear. This process involves providing documentation, such as an Identity Theft Report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a police report. Credit bureaus are required to investigate disputes within 30 to 45 days. Place a credit freeze, often called a “Protected Consumer Freeze” for minors, on the minor’s credit report with each of the three bureaus to prevent future unauthorized activity.

If no credit report exists for the minor, it is still advisable to take proactive measures to safeguard their financial future. Initiating a credit freeze for the minor, even in the absence of a report, is a preventative step. When a freeze is requested for a minor without an existing file, the credit bureau will create a credit file and immediately freeze it. This “Protected Consumer Freeze” remains in place until you, as the parent or guardian, request its removal.