How Do I Check My Child's Credit Report

You may be wondering how to check your child's credit score and whether it is similar to checking your own score. It is possible for children to begin building credit with their parents’ help and once built it is possible to check. This article will cover how to check a child’s credit, why children might have credit histories, identity theft, and tips for teaching children about credit.

Key Points:

• Children under the age of 18 do not typically have a credit history. 
• Your child may have a credit report if they are a joint account holder or an authorized user on one of your credit cards.
• Children may  have credit reports if they are victims of identity theft.

How to Check Your Child's Credit Report

The first thing needed is a credit report for your child, this is the only way that your child may have a credit history that can be checked. If applicable you would be able to check your child's credit history at the three large bureaus.

Given that you will be checking the credit score of another individual it can trigger security issues such as suspected fraud or identity theft, the three bureaus have specific processes for this scenario which we explore next.

The primary identifier you will need is a social security number. If you do not have a social security number for your child it is possible to check credit score without ssn or to check credit score with itin number

Check Your Child’s Credit Report with Equifax

If you want to check your child’s credit report with Equifax, you will need to mail your request. There are pieces of key detail you can expect to provide when asking for your child's credit report.

• A letter explaining your request
• A copy of your child’s birth certificate 
• A copy of your child’s Social Security card
• A copy of your government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license)
• For people who are not the child’s parents, you will need to send in documentation that you have the legal right to act on the child’s behalf. 

When you’ve filled out your form you will be ready to mail to the given address: Experian, P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013

Check Your Child’s Credit Report with Experian

You can request your child’s Experian credit report via mail, or you can upload all of the necessary documents. Some of the information you may need includes:

• A completed request form
• A copy of your government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license)
• Proof of your address (such as a utility bill)
• A copy of your child’s birth certificate 
• A copy of your child’s Social Security card
• Proof of guardianship if you are not listed on the birth certificate

If choosing to mail in your request you can send documentation to the Experian address:  Experian, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

Check Your Child’s Credit Report with TransUnion

First, you will need to fill out TransUnion’s Child Identity Theft Inquiry form to determine if your child has a credit report.  If your child has a credit report, TransUnion will follow up for more information and next steps. You may need to mail a request if you want a copy of your child’s credit report which is: TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Why Your Child Might Have a Credit History

Typically, children do not have credit reports and scores because they are too young to apply for and use credit products; however, some parents make their children authorized users or joint account holders, which can help children to begin building credit earlier in life.

It is also possible that someone has stolen your child’s identity and opened credit accounts in their name. This might be a case to periodically check whether or not your child has a credit score to keep their history safe.

How To Protect Your Child From Identity Theft

Fraudsters can use childrens’ names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and other personal information to apply for loans and open credit accounts. This is the same as an individual identity being stolen.

To protect your child from identity theft it may be a good idea to periodically monitor whether or not your child has a credit history. If they do have a credit history and you think it may be compromised you can work with the three credit agencies to actively freeze your child's credit.

Recognizing Identity Theft

• Your child has a credit report but shouldn’t. If your child has a credit report, but you have never made them an authorized user, this is a red flag. 
• Your child is receiving mail. If your child’s identity has been stolen, they might start to receive mail with credit card offers. 
• You have issues opening your child a financial account. If you go to open your child’s first financial account or apply for student loans, only to be denied due to bad credit, you are likely dealing with identity theft. 
• You may receive a letter from the IRS about unpaid taxes in your child’s name.

Protecting Your Child

• Safeguard their Social Security number and personal documents
• If your child has a credit report, you can place a freeze on it for free with each credit bureau. 
• Teach your children about the risks of identity theft. 
• Monitor your children's online activity, including social media.

Teaching Your Children About Credit

• Teaching your children about credit can help set them up for success later in life. 
• You can start by explaining what credit is, how to responsibly use a credit card, and what makes up a credit score. Though difficult topics its important to continue emphasizing.
• You can lend your child money and ask them to pay it back in an exercise of how credit works
• Offer rewards to your child for talking about credit, paying back any lent money or asking curious questions

Credit Basics 

You can cover the basis of credit with your kids by answering two basic questions: 

• What is a credit score?
  • A three-digit number that helps lenders to understand your risk as a borrower. This can impact your ability to apply for loans, credit cards, and mortgages. 
• What is a credit report?
  • A collection of financial information that is used to calculate credit scores. Credit reports are generated by the three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Building Credit

You can educate your kids on ways to build credit:

• Become an authorized user: You can add your child as an authorized user, helping them to learn how to responsibly use a credit card. Your on-time payments also help them build a positive credit history. 
• Apply for other credit accounts: Explain how your children can begin applying for and using credit accounts when they turn 18. 
• Use credit responsibly: Do not over-utilize credit, and do not apply for lots of accounts in a short period of time. 
• Always pay on time: Stress the importance of paying bills on time. Repairing your credit from a low score is more effort than maintaining a good credit score.

Monitoring Credit 

• Teach children about the importance of monitoring credit. Benefits include:
  • Tracking progress
  • Understanding how lenders view you
  • Catching potential errors or fraud 
• Periodically review credit scores at the three credit bureaus for details about your or your child's credit scores, some resources can be found below for these agencies.
  • Equifax
  • Check credit score
  • Check credit report
  • Experian
  • Check credit score
  • Check credit report
  • TransUnion:
  • Check credit score
  • Check credit report

Final Word

It is important to teach your children about credit and monitor your child’s credit with each credit bureau to ensure they remain educated and protected from the harm that is associated with credit. This will prepare them for a life of strong credit health early on which may give them an advantage as they move to young adulthood and need to utilize credit for major purchases. While not always front of mind for parents, starting kids early on their credit journey will only have upside benefits.