Walking someone through this? Here's your script.

Whether you're helping a parent, grandparent, or other relative—in person or over the phone—this guide gives you clear instructions you can read aloud and steps you can walk them through.

Doing this over the phone? The printable workbook lets them follow along without you reading every step. Get the Workbook →

Before You Start

Information you'll need from them

  • Full legal name (as it appears on credit accounts)
  • Current address and any addresses from the past 2 years
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of birth
  • Email address (they'll need access to it during this process)
  • Phone number

Legal considerations

You generally cannot freeze credit or create accounts on someone else's behalf without their direct involvement—even for a parent. The account holder needs to verify their identity themselves.

If your family member has cognitive decline or is incapacitated, you may need Power of Attorney to act on their behalf. Consult with an elder law attorney for guidance.

The Essential Steps

Walk them through these in order. Each step has a "what to say" script.

1

Freeze credit at Equifax

~10 min

What to say:

"I'm going to help you freeze your credit. This is free and it prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. You'll need to go to a website and create an account. I'll walk you through each step."

Have them go to:

equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze

Walk them through:

  1. Click "Place a freeze"
  2. Create an account (they'll need their email)
  3. Verify their identity (security questions or document upload)
  4. Complete the freeze request
  5. Important: Write down the PIN they receive
2

Freeze credit at Experian

~10 min

Have them go to:

experian.com/freeze/center.html

Walk them through:

  1. Click "Add a security freeze"
  2. Create an account
  3. Verify identity
  4. Complete the freeze
  5. Important: Write down the PIN
3

Freeze credit at TransUnion

~10 min

Have them go to:

transunion.com/credit-freeze

Walk them through:

  1. Click "Add a freeze"
  2. Create an account
  3. Verify identity
  4. Complete the freeze
  5. Important: Write down the PIN
4

Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN

~15 min

What to say:

"This prevents someone from filing a fake tax return in your name. You'll get a special PIN that you'll use every year when you file taxes."

Have them go to:

irs.gov IP PIN page

They'll need to verify their identity through ID.me. This may require a video call or document upload. Be patient—it can take a few tries.

5

Create Social Security account

~10 min

What to say:

"We're going to claim your Social Security online account. If you don't do this, someone else could try to claim it using your information."

Have them go to:

ssa.gov/myaccount

Helping Them Stay Safe Ongoing

Store their PINs securely

Help them write down all their freeze PINs in a safe place (not on a sticky note on their computer). They'll need these if they ever want to apply for new credit.

Set up scam call awareness

Remind them: The IRS, Social Security, and banks will never call demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest. When in doubt, hang up and call the official number.

Check in periodically

Offer to help them review their bank statements and credit card bills periodically. They may not notice small fraudulent charges.

If they need to apply for credit later

They can temporarily lift (thaw) their credit freeze using the PIN when they need to apply for a credit card, loan, or mortgage. They'll just need to remember which bureau the lender uses, or lift all three to be safe.

Leave them with something to reference: The Identity Protection Workbook has all these steps in a printable checklist they can keep handy. Get the Workbook →