What Do I Do if My Child’s Data Was Exposed in a Data Breach?

Start Here: Take 3 Steps to Protect Your Family

If your child is under 18, follow these steps after a data breach.

1. Check if Your Child Has a Credit Report

Because children under 18 typically do not have credit reports, a credit report in your minor child's name may be a sign of identity theft. There are two ways to see if your minor child has a credit report.

One-Time Check

Visit Experian's Child Identity Theft Protection webpage and click the tab marked "Check if a minor has a credit report."

This option is best if you:

• Prefer a free method
• Just want to see if a credit report exists today

Ongoing Monitoring

You can use a credit monitoring service to see if your child has a credit report and track their credit activity over time. For example, with Experian's Family Plan, you can:

• Check if a credit report exists
• Get alerts if one is created in the future
• Monitor for signs of identity theft
• Scan the dark web for exposed personal information

This option is best if you:

• Want ongoing protection, not just a one-time check
• Prefer a more convenient, all-in-one experience

Be aware: You should also check to see if your child has a credit report with the other major consumer credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion.

Learn more: Checking to See if Your Children Have Credit Reports

2. Consider Placing a Security Freeze

A security freeze (or credit freeze) blocks the processing of credit applications made in the child's name, which can help prevent identity theft and fraud. (Be aware that if your child does not have a credit file, placing a security freeze may create one for them.)

To request a security freeze for a minor, visit Experian's Child Identity Theft Protection webpage and click the tab marked "Add or remove a security freeze for a minor." You can also call Experian at 1-888-397-3742.

Be aware: You'll need to request security freezes at each of the three national credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) separately.

3. Watch for Scams and Suspicious Activity

Even if no personally identifiable data was exposed, information such as your child's email or phone number can be used for scams. You and your child should be alert for:

• Unexpected emails, texts or calls
• Links or attachments in emails or text messages
• Signs of phishing such as requests for passwords or messages urging your child to act immediately

Even if you find no signs of active fraud, it's important to remain vigilant. Data breaches may not lead to identity theft right away, but they can expose your child's information online, increasing the risk of future fraud. The best way to protect your child is by continuing to monitor their accounts long after the incident has passed.

Learn more: What You Can Do to Avoid Identity and Credit Fraud

If Your Child Is 18 or Older

Children ages 18 and up are adults, so while you'll follow the same basic steps to protect them, there are a few small differences.

1. Check their credit report. Your child can get a copy of their credit report for free from Experian. Free copies of their credit reports from all three credit bureaus are also available at AnnualCreditReport.com. If your child has a credit card, is an authorized user on a credit card, or has an auto loan or student loan, they will typically have a credit report; check it for any suspicious activity or unfamiliar accounts. If your child does not use credit, a credit report in their name may be a sign of fraud.
2. Monitor their credit. Encourage your child to enroll in Experian's free identity protection plan, which includes Experian credit monitoring and alerts, a free dark web scan and a free privacy scan. Another option: Experian's premium identity protection plan features additional protections, including three-bureau credit monitoring, Social Security trace alerts and more. If you want to help your adult child monitor their credit, you can sign them up as the second adult covered by your Experian family identity theft protection plan.
3. Request a security freeze. Placing a security freeze limits access to your child's Experian credit report, which can help prevent fraudulent credit accounts from being opened in your child's name.

If You Find Evidence of Identity Theft

If you believe your child has been a victim of identity theft, here's what to do.

1. Request a credit freeze. Be sure to do this with each credit bureau separately.
2. Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Complete the online form at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338.
3. File a police report. A police report can help you dispute fraudulent accounts and qualify to add an extended fraud alert lasting seven years to your child's credit report.
4. Contact creditors listed on your child's credit report. Inform them that fraud has occurred and ask them to close fraudulent accounts
5. Continue monitoring your child's credit. Identity theft protection plans can make this easier.

Consider Ongoing Identity Protection for Your Family

When a data breach impacts your child's personal data, the most important thing you can do is monitor your child's information to reduce future risks. If you're looking for a proactive way to protect your family, identity protection services can help you stay ahead of potential threats.

With Experian's Identity Protection Family Plan options, you can monitor credit for up to 10 children and two adults in one place. You'll get alerts about new or suspicious activity on your family's credit reports, as well as dark web scans to uncover exposed personal information. Experian's Family Plan includes social network monitoring alerts for Facebook and X for those over 13 years old and LinkedIn for those over 16 years old. You'll also have access to support if identity theft occurs and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.