Every youth in DFPS conservatorship age 14 through age 17 qualifies for a free annual consumer credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. DFPS requests these credit reports annually on the youth’s behalf until the youth is discharged from DFPS conservatorship.

Social Security Act, Section 475(5)(I)External Link (42 U.S.C. §675)

Administration for Children and Families, Information Memorandum PI-11-09PDF DocumentExternal Link

Administration for Children and Families – Program Instructions PI-12-07.pdfPDF DocumentExternal Link

Administration for Children and Families – Information Memorandum IM 14-03.pdfPDF DocumentExternal Link

See the Personal Documents Resource GuidePDF Documen, under Credit Reports.

Annually, the DFPS state office liaison requests credit reports on all youth in DFPS conservatorship age 14 through age 17. Each credit reporting agency provides credit report information in a different format. The state office liaison sends these files to each region, with instructions on how caseworkers can access the files.

If the caseworker’s review of the files finds no record of a credit report for the youth, the caseworker must document this in IMPACT and provide the date each credit reporting agency generated the file.

If the caseworker’s review of the files finds that a credit report exists for the youth, the caseworker must document that a credit report existed and the efforts being made by the state office liaison and the caseworker to address the credit report information.

Case Plan Documentation

The caseworker must inform a youth of his or her right to an annual credit report beginning at age 14. The caseworker must document that the youth was given this information in the youth’s case plan.

Credit Reports with Discrepancies

If discrepancies exist in a credit report or credit history, the caseworker receives an email from the DFPS state office liaison, containing instructions on how to access the credit report. The caseworker must ensure that any documents the state office liaison requests, in order to resolve the discrepancy, are provided.

The caseworker must review the report face-to-face with the youth, and discuss the efforts CPS staff is making to resolve the issues. The caseworker must document these discussions in IMPACT.

Requesting Individual Credit Reports

A caseworker may request individual credit reports if:

  •   there are suspicions or proof that a youth’s Social Security number has been used to open a business account, or for fraudulent purposes;

  •   a youth age 17 or older recently came into the conservatorship of DFPS; or

  •   there is a court order requiring DFPS to request a credit report.

Before requesting a credit report, the caseworker must check the most current annual file to ensure a credit report does not already exist on the youth.

To request a credit report, the caseworker must submit the youth’s full name, person identifier number, and the current address. The caseworker sends credit report inquiries to the CPS Credit Reports mailbox [sic, email link].

Note that each credit reporting agency only provides one credit report per youth in a 12 month period.

Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze

If there is evidence of identity theft or fraudulent debts on a youth’s credit report, the state office liaison requests that the credit reporting agency place an initial fraud alert on the account or a credit freeze. The state office liaison may consult with the caseworker on these decisions.

The caseworker must notify the youth that a fraud alert or credit freeze has been placed on the youth’s credit report account. Upon turning age 18, the young adult can lift fraud alerts or credit freezes by contacting each credit reporting agency.