Experian Child Credit Freeze Summary

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UPDATE 2018:
Experian Child Credit Freeze Warning: Parents Beware of Mailing Sensitive Info

We recently discovered that Experian will no longer allow parents to use their secure online upload portal. Experian is now requiring that you mail in sensitive documents despite laws intended to prevent that. We are investigating and hope to provide an alternative soon. In the meantime, we do not recommend mailing in the required documents. 

We asked why Experian why, now that federal law requires Experian to allow every parent to freeze their kids’ credit for free, the bureau is suddenly making it harder and more risky for parents to request a child credit freeze. This was their response: 

Experian has established its process for requesting security freezes in a manner that complies with the law. The process to either set a security freeze or create a credit file and then set a security freeze on that file for a child under the age of 16 requires additional authentication by the parent or guardian of the child. Consumers must submit the additional required documentation by mail. This is fully compliant with the law.

The Experian child credit freeze process is by far the least consumer friendly; however, the bureau did temporarily make great strides in the area of consumer protections.

When I first began this process, Experian did not provide an option for speaking with a human being unless you already had a credit file number (i.e. you were a paying customer). On April 1, 2015, they finally added a secondary number (1-800-509-8495) that allows anyone to speak with a customer service representative (Mon-Fri 9-5).

UPDATE October 2018:

We recently discovered that number no longer connects your with a human.

Until 2015, Experian also required that you mail in sensitive documents like the other two bureaus. Security experts advise against sending any sensitive information via standard mail. In fact, there are even laws against printing a full Social Security number on mailed documents in some states. While FedEx and UPS do provide more secure mail options, the bureaus only offer a P.O. Box address.

To it’s credit, Experian became the first bureau to add a secure online upload option for submitting sensitive documents.

UPDATE October 2018:

We recently discovered that Experian will no longer allow parents to use the online upload function.

Experian does makes it difficult to find child credit freeze information online and the outdated information that they do have online does not mention the secure upload option. By default, Experian still asks that parents mail in sensitive documentation. That is not recommended.

Experian “Child Security Freeze”

• Useful Information:

  • Child Security Information Web Link:
    • https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html
      • Then click “Minor Child Instructions” (on right)
  • Experian Phone Number: 1-800-509-8495 (to speak with an agent)
    • Experian Primary Line: 888 EXPERIAN
      • This is an automated line for ordering credit reports, scores and freezes.
  • Experian Fax#: NA
    (Note: Experian recently began refusing to let parents use the online upload for child credit freezes. Check back shortly. We are working on getting you a secure alternative.)
    • Upload Documents Here: https://www.experian.com/consumer/upload/
      
  • Experian Address: (There is no dedicated address for Child Security Freezes)
    • Experian
      PO Box 9554
      Allen, TX 75013

• ---

   Compile your documents.

  • A written request (write a note) asking to place a “protected consumer freeze” on your child’s file. Include your child’s full name.
  • A copy of your child Social Security Card.
  • A copy of your child’s Birth Certificate (assuming your name is on it too)
  • A copy of your Driver’s License (Or Other Government Issued ID)
  • Evidence of Home Address (Bank Statement / Utility Bill with your name and address matching your ID)

• Submit Your Documents

(Note: Experian recently began refusing to let parents use the online upload for child credit freezes. Check back shortly. We are working on getting you a secure alternative.)

We have reached out to regulators and hope to have a secure alternative to share with you soon. In the meantime, you can begin gathering the necessary documents. We suggest holding off on step 3 until we update this post with an alternative to mail. 

However, if you do want to/need to freeze your child’s credit immediately, we highly recommend mailing your documents to the bureaus via Certified or Registered Mail so that you can track the delivery and ensure it arrives safely at the bureau.

• Upload Your Documents

• 1 Start: Enter your identifying information.
  • You can decline to enter your Social Security number here.
• 2 Upload: Select “Other” from the drop-down menu
  • Under “Tell Us More,” explain that you would like to place a Protected Minor Security Freeze on your child’s account. You should also request a copy of your child’s credit report.
  • If you live in a state where bureaus are not required to honor a request for a protected minor freeze, explain that you have added your child to your credit card and have created a credit file as a result.
  • Scan and upload the documents above.
    (Experian only accepts TIFF and PDF files).
  • Type in the numbers in the “REcaptcha” image at the bottom of the page and click “Continue.”
• 3 Confirm: Confirm your info and click “Submit.”

• Record your child’s pin numbers in a safe place.

In 5-7 day business days, you should receive a response in the mail. If your child’s credit file has not posted yet, you may receive a letter explaining that your child does not have a credit file and thus his or her credit file cannot be frozen.

Be patient and try again in a month.

Once your child’s credit file is frozen, Experian will send you a letter in the mail confirming that the “Protected Consumer Freeze” has been added. They will assign your child a “Personal Identification Number.” This number will serve as your child’s pin number and you will need it to lift the freeze when they turn 18.

Experian does not allow you to temporarily lift or “thaw” a Protected Consumer Credit Freeze. You will have to remove it completely when your child is of age, and then reapply for a regular credit freeze (which is a very simple online process).

It is very important to keep the PIN in a safe place. Not having that number will complicate the process of unfreezing the file when your child is old enough to apply for credit of his or her own.

Consider storing the number in a safe deposit box with other important documents. You can also record the number by sending it to yourself in a discrete email. Do not obviously indicate what the number is for in case your email gets hacked.

For more information on how to detect, repair and prevent child ID theft, see #NewsMom Research & Resources – Child ID Theft

Julie Watts
Julie is the consumer-investigative reporter for CBS in San Francisco. Her reports air nationally on CBS stations across the coun ...Read More