 TITLE: Does My Child Have a Credit Report? CONTENT: How to Find Out Whether Your Child Has a Credit Report\n------------------------------------------------------\nUnless you've taken action to help your young child develop a credit history, he or she most likely doesn't have a credit report. These reports begin when a person applies for and receives credit products, such as loans and credit cards. Once that happens, the lender sends information about the activity to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). At that stage, a credit report is born.\nMinors can't sign a loan or credit card contract, but they can become authorized users on their parents' credit card accounts. If you add your child to your account as an authorized user, a credit report will be generated in his or her name. In most cases the issuer will send information about the account to all the cardholders' reports, no matter their ages. As long as you pay the bills on time and don't carry big balances, it can be a savvy technique to jump-start a minor's credit history.\nThe other reason your child could have a credit report is as a result of identity theft. If someone else used your child's name and Social Security number to open accounts, they will have a credit file—and odds are it won't be listing attractive information. Typically thieves borrow money and don't repay, so the accounts go delinquent. Late payments will be posted to your child's credit report, and when the lender still doesn't get paid, it will refer the debt to collections, which will also show up on your child's reports.\nGood or bad, it's time to see what's going on by checking your minor child's credit reports. Gather the following:\n*   A copy of your driver's license or other government-issued identification card\n*   Proof of your address, such as a utility bill or an insurance statement\n*   A copy of your child's birth certificate\n*   A copy of your child's Social Security card\nWrite to each of the credit bureaus and request your child's credit report. Specify his or her full name, date of birth and address for the past two years. For an Experian report, you'll need to complete a request form and include it with the items above. If you're concerned about sending information by mail, you can upload your information online.\nIn the event that no credit report has been created for your child, Experian will send a notice letting you know. If there is, one will be provided to you. END