Protect Your Family from Identity Theft with One Free Move

With data breaches happening all the time, freezing your credit is one of the easiest—and most overlooked—ways to protect yourself and your kids from identity theft. And it’s completely free.

Yes, children.

Freezing your kids' credit is one of the best things you can do to safeguard their future.

Why Freezing Credit Works

A credit freeze locks access to your credit file so no one—including identity thieves—can open a new credit account in your name. That means no surprise credit cards, loans, or fraudulent activity… even if a scammer has your Social Security number.

Unlike fraud alerts or credit monitoring (which often cost money or miss things), a freeze stops fraud before it starts.

Why You Should Freeze Your Child’s Credit

Children are prime targets for identity theft. Thieves love using a clean Social Security number that hasn’t been tied to any financial accounts—exactly what kids have.

Most victims don’t even find out until they’re 18 and denied a student loan or job because their credit was wrecked years earlier.

By freezing your child’s credit:

• You make it impossible for thieves to exploit their SSN

• You ensure a clean credit slate for their future

• You gain long-term peace of mind

Children are prime targets for identity theft because their clean credit histories go unchecked for years. In one case reported by the Times Union, foster children—one as young as two—had credit cards and utility bills opened in their names, only discovered years later when they applied for credit source. The New York Post reported over 22,000 identity theft cases involving minors in a single year, with some kids turning 18 only to find debts, apartment leases, and even jobs tied to their Social Security numbers source. According to the FTC, children’s identities are often used for years without detection, damaging their credit before they even become adults source. (source New York Post.)

It’s Completely Free

Thanks to federal law, all three major credit bureaus must let you freeze and unfreeze your credit for free, at any time. No hidden charges.

Where and How to Freeze Credit

You’ll need to freeze credit with each bureau separately. Here’s where to go:

1. Equifax

🔗 https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

2. Experian

🔗 Freeze or Unfreeze Your Credit File for Free - Experian

3. TransUnion

🔗 Credit Freeze | Freeze My Credit | TransUnion

What You’ll Need

For adults:

• Full name, DOB, SSN, current and past addresses

• Government-issued ID

• Phone number/email

  
  

For children:

• Child’s birth certificate and SSN

• Your ID and proof of guardianship (e.g., tax return listing the child)

What About Unfreezing?

Need to apply for a mortgage, credit card, or job? No problem. You can temporarily lift the freeze online in seconds. You control it.

Final Tips

• Don’t confuse a freeze with a fraud alert (less secure)

• Don’t pay anyone for this—it’s free through official sites

• Store PINs/passwords securely, especially for your child’s freezes

Wrap-Up: Protect Now, Thank Yourself Later

Freezing your credit is a smart move—and freezing your child’s credit is even smarter. It’s quick, free, and one of the easiest ways to guard against the fastest-growing form of identity theft.

Take 15 minutes today and lock things down. Your future self (and your kids) will thank you.