Managing Credit for a Loved One

If you are a parent, guardian, conservator or legal representative of a minor or an incapacitated adult and would like to freeze their credit report, you can do this by adding a protected consumer freeze to their credit file. Here's what you'll need to provide:

1. A written request to place a “Protected Consumer Freeze” on the named individual’s file

2. AND a copy of one piece of documentation that provides “sufficient proof of authority” that you have authority to act on behalf of the person such as:

• An order issued by a court of law
• A lawfully executed and valid power of attorney
• A guardianship or conservator document that is current and not expired, includes the protected consumer’s name, and that the name of the person on the court document matches the name of the person submitting the request
• A document issued by a federal, state, or local government agency in the United States showing proof of parentage, including a birth certificate
• With respect to a protected consumer who has been placed in a foster care setting, a written communication from a county welfare department or its agent or designee, or a county probation department or its agent or designee, certifying that the protected consumer is in a foster care setting under its jurisdiction.

3. AND information or copies of documentation confirming your identity AND the identity of the minor/dependent or incapacitated adult. This information or documentation needs to provide “sufficient proof of identification” that you and the minor/dependent or incapacitated adult are who you really are, such as a:

• Social Security number or a copy of a Social Security card
• Certified or official copy of a birth certificate issued by the entity authorized to issue the birth certificate
• Copy of a driver’s license, an identification card issued by a state motor vehicle administration, or any other government issued identification

Please only send copies of documents, not original documents.

Send everything to the dedicated mailing address for protected consumer freezes at TransUnion:

TransUnion
P.O. Box 380
Woodlyn, PA 19094

Please note: Consumers are not able to place a protected consumer freeze via phone or online at this time due to the documentation requirements. We accept either standard or certified mail.

To remove a protected consumer freeze, you’ll need to submit the following:

1. A written request to remove the freeze on the named individual's file

2. AND a copy of one piece of documentation that provides ‘sufficient proof of authority’ that you have authority to act on behalf of the minor or dependent such as:        

• An order issued by a court of law
• A lawfully executed and valid power of attorney
• A guardianship or conservator document that is current and not expired, includes the protected consumer’s name, and that the name of the person on the court document matches the name of the person submitting the request
• A document issued by a federal, state or local government agency in the United States showing proof of parentage, including a birth certificate
• With respect to a protected consumer who has been placed in a foster care setting, a written communication from a county welfare department or its agent or designee, or a county probation department or its agent or designee, certifying that the protected consumer is in a foster care setting under its jurisdiction   

3. AND information or copies of documentation confirming your identity AND the identity of the minor/dependent. Information or documentation needs to provide ‘sufficient proof of identification’ that you and the minor/dependent are who you really are, such as a:

• Social Security number or a copy of a Social Security card
• Certified or original copy of a birth certificate issued by the entity authorized to issue the birth certificate
• Copy of a driver’s license, an identification card issued by a state motor vehicle administration or any other government issued identification

If you are the protected consumer and are 16 years old or older, you can mail in a request to remove a protected consumer freeze yourself with the following:

1. A written request to remove the freeze on the named individual's file

2. AND information or a copy of documentation that provides ‘sufficient proof of identification’ that you are who you really are, such as a:

• Social Security number or a copy of a Social Security card
• Certified or original copy of a birth certificate issued by the entity authorized to issue the birth certificate
• Copy of a driver’s license, an identification card issued by the motor vehicle administration or any other government issued identification

Please only send copies of documents, not original documents.

Mail the request and supporting documents to the dedicated mailing address for protected consumer freezes at TransUnion:

TransUnion
P.O. Box 380
Woodlyn, PA 19094

You can dispute inaccurate items on a minor or incapacitated adult’s credit report. You’ll need to provide documents proving you have the authority to act on their behalf along with details about the information you’re disputing.

Learn more about what you need to provide in our blog.

Fraud alerts notify creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit. TransUnion currently doesn’t offer fraud alerts for minors.  An authorized representative can add an initial fraud alert or an extended fraud alert on behalf of an incapacitated adult. This can be done online or by mail or phone. Please note that an extended fraud alert requires you to submit proof that you have been a victim of identity theft.