Yes, it is worth considering. The FTC says that if your child is under 16 you can request a free credit freeze to make it harder for someone to open accounts in their name. It stays in place until you ask the bureaus to remove it, and the process differs from the adult one.
What a freeze does
An adult freeze blocks anyone from opening new credit in your name until you lift it. The FTC describes it as free, with no effect on your credit score. A child's freeze is aimed at the same risk: a thief using a young person's identity, which can go unnoticed for years because a child has no reason to check credit.
A freeze is different from a fraud alert. A fraud alert asks lenders to verify identity before opening credit but does not block access to the credit report.
How to start
The FTC says you contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. For children the instructions differ from the adult flow, so use each bureau's own child instructions. Expect to prove who you are and that you are the parent or guardian. Gather documents before you begin so you can finish in one sitting.
A sensible checklist:
- Find each bureau's instructions for freezing a minor's file.
- Collect what they ask for, such as proof of your identity and your relationship to the child.
- Do all three bureaus, not just one. The FTC notes that adult freezes require contacting all three.
- Save the confirmation details in a safe place, ideally in your password manager.
- Put a reminder in your calendar for the day the child nears adulthood.
When to lift it
The freeze stays until you ask for removal, so plan for the day your child needs credit. For adults, the FTC says a freeze can be lifted temporarily, ideally at only the bureau a lender will check. Ask each bureau how lifting works for a minor's file.
What a freeze does not cover
A freeze addresses new credit accounts. It is one layer, not a full shield, so keep an eye out for other signs that a child's details are being misused. If a school or provider tells you about a data breach, treat that as a prompt to act, and see what parents can do after a school data breach notice.
Quick check
Does a child freeze cost money?
The FTC says a credit freeze for a child under 16 is free.
Is a fraud alert the same thing?
No. A fraud alert makes lenders verify identity but does not block access to the credit report, while a freeze blocks new credit.
Sources
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
