TransUnion Child Credit Freeze Summary

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While the TransUnion child credit freeze process is relatively easy, especially if you live in a state that requires credit bureaus to let you freeze your child’s credit, their standard procedure for implementing a “protected consumer freeze” (outlined here) presents a couple of significant security risks.

By default, TransUnion asks that you mail the required documentation to a P.O. Box. Security experts advise against sending any sensitive information, like your Social Security number, 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, they do not deliver to P.O. Boxes, and TransUnion only offers a P.O. Box address.

After I raised these concerns, TransUnion provided me with a fax number. While it is not as secure as the “secure upload” option offered by Experian, I applaud TransUnion for responding to the security concern. The bureau has not publicly made this fax option available; however, they have agreed to allow me to make it public via this blog.

Another security concern, TransUnion asks that you give your Social Security number to an Indian call center rep (without an employee ID) before they transfer you to the proper U.S. department.

See “You Need My Social Security Number But You Won’t Give Your Employee ID?” for details on the risk of providing your SSN over the phone and an amusing transcript of my conversation with a credit bureau call center employee.

In response to these concerns, TransUnion says it has reminded call center reps that they can use an address or other identifying information instead of a Social Security number.

TransUnion “Protected Consumer Freeze”

• Useful information:

  • Protected Consumer Information Web Link:
    • http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/ProtectedConsumers.page  
  • Main TransUnion Phone Number:  800-916-8800
    • TransUnion Security Freeze Line:  888-909-8872 
      • Press #5 For Recorded Information about a Protected Consumer Freeze
  • TransUnion Fax#: 610-546-4771
    • Best to fax in early AM or late PM when not as busy
  • TransUnion Protected Consumer Address:
    • TransUnion Protected Consumer Freeze
      P.O. Box 380
      Woodlyn, PA 19094
  • Required Documents:
    • Download TransUnion Sample Fax PDF Here
    • Download TransUnion Sample Fax Word Doc Here
    • Download Sample Notarized Description of Authority PDF Here
    • Download Sample Notarized Description of Authority Word Doc Here
  • Fee:
    • Free-$10 depending on your state.  

• ---

  Create a credit file.

NOTE: Parents in these states can skip steps 2-4  State law requires the bureaus to let parents in these states freeze their kids’ credit with or without a credit file. Therefore, you dont have to create one. California was recently added to this list. 

In most states, TransUnion requires that children have an existing credit file before it will initiate a security freeze. And in most cases, a child won’t have an existing credit file unless they are already a victim of ID Theft.

You can get around this requirement by adding your child as an authorized user to your credit card. Many banks do not have an age limit for authorized users on a credit card (American Express does have an age limit).

Simply call up your credit card company, confirm that there is no age limit for authorized users and tell them you’d like to get a card in your child’s name.

Make sure they add your child’s name, birth date and address to the account.

This will not begin to generate a “credit score” for your child or help to build his or her credit. This simply creates a “file” in your child’s name with the credit bureaus.

• Contact TransUnion to confirm your child’s credit file has been established.

Generally you’ll need to wait 60-90 days before your child’s credit information is reported to the bureaus. TransUnion will confirm whether or not your child’s file has been created over the phone (other bureaus will not).

You can call the main TransUnion number above and press “4” for an operator, or you can call the dedicated TransUnion Security Freeze number and press “0.”

Ask to be transferred to the “special handling team in the U.S. for security freezes.”

They may first ask you for your “file number.” Explain that you are calling to confirm that your child’s credit file has been established so that you can initiate a security freeze and that you don’t have a “file number” yet. When they ask for a Social Security number, decline and insist that they look up the file using your child’s name and address instead.

You should agree to verify guardianship by confirming the last four digits of your Social and your child’s Social, along with your address and other identifying information. You should be allowed to decline to give the full Social Security numbers over the phone.

If a credit file has not yet been created for your child, you may have to wait another month for it to post. Depending on who you speak with, they may agree to create a credit file for your child at that point. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

•  Compile your documents.

  • Child Social Security Card
  • Parent’s Social Security Card
  • Parent Driver’s License (Or Other Government Issued ID)
  • Evidence of Home Address (Bank Statement / Utility Bill)
  • Child’s Birth Certificate
  • Notarized Description of Authority**
    • Download Sample Notarized Description of Authority PDF Here
    • Download Sample Notarized Description of Authority Word Doc Here

In addition to the standard documentation required by most of the bureaus, TransUnion requires a “Written, Notarized and Signed Description of Authority.” This is simply a letter swearing that you are the child’s legal guardian and have the authority to freeze your child’s credit. You will have to have it signed by a notary. This usually costs around $10, and you can often find a notary at your local UPS Store or by searching the Yellow Pages online.

NOTE: Don’t sign the letter yourself until you are in the presence of the notary.

Once your child has an established credit file, he or she will be given a “credit file number.” Make sure you add that number to the bottom of every page and document you send in.

• Fee

Unless your child is already a victim of ID theft, you will have to pay a fee ranging from $5 to $10 depending on your state. Click here to see the fee for your state. 

• Fax your documents

  • TransUnion Fax#: 610-546-4771
  • Download TransUnion Sample Fax PDF Here
  • Download TransUnion Sample Fax Word Doc Here

TransUnion representatives advise faxing in the early morning or late at night as the primary fax number can get busy during the day.

I advise calling TransUnion before faxing your documents and speaking to someone in the U.S. Security Freeze Department to ensure they are awaiting your fax. You can also ask if they will allow you to call back to confirm that they have successfully received your information.

Be very careful to dial the fax number correctly. You do not want to accidentally send this sensitive information to an unknown fax.

NOTE: While TransUnion does offer a P.O. Box address to mail your documents, security experts strongly advise against sending these sensitive documents via standard mail.

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

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

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

It is very important to keep the “file number” 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