If identity theft has affected you or your child, request a free credit freeze separately from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. For a child under 16, a parent or guardian must use each bureau’s minor-specific process; first ask whether the child has a credit file. A freeze helps restrict access for most new-credit applications, but it does not close fraudulent accounts or remove false information. Use the steps below to protect the files and address the fraud.
Start with the identity-theft recovery steps
Go to IdentityTheft.gov’s recovery steps and follow the instructions for your situation. Save the FTC Identity Theft Report and recovery plan if the FTC flow provides them. Keep a log of calls, letters, dates, names, reference numbers, and confirmations from bureaus, creditors, and agencies.
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Contact each business where an account was opened or misused. Ask its fraud department to close the account and send written confirmation that it was fraudulent and that you are not responsible for the debt. The FTC’s recovery guidance explains how to report identity theft and work with affected companies.
Freeze your own credit reports at all three bureaus
Request a free security freeze from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each bureau maintains a separate report, so a freeze at one does not freeze the other two. Use the bureaus’ current official instructions rather than relying on old phone numbers, addresses, or third-party links.
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- Basketless paper and plastic shredder for safely destroying material into 0.24 inch wide strips; meets security level P-2 standards
- Fits over most waste baskets; extendable arm max length is 16.7" or 42.4 cm
- Accepts up to 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time (no need to remove staples or small paper clips)
- Destroys CDs, DVDs, and credit cards (one at a time, through dedicated slot; blades cut each disc into 3 pieces).
- Run time is 2.5 minutes on/15 minutes off (9.84 feet per minute); if shredder runs continuously beyond max run time, it will automatically shut off to protect the motor from overheating
A freeze restricts access to your report for most applications for new credit, making it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name. It does not erase existing accounts, remove fraudulent entries, or prevent every type of misuse. When you apply for legitimate new credit, you may need to temporarily lift the freeze or remove it.
USAGov, on a page updated November 13, 2025, says online or phone freeze requests must be placed within one business day and mailed requests within three business days. For lifts, it says online or phone requests must be handled within one hour and mailed requests within three business days. Check USAGov’s current instructions for any changes before relying on those processing times.
Rank #2
- Cross-cut paper and credit card shredder cuts material into approximate 0.2 x 0.7 inches (5 x 18 mm) pieces; meets security level P-4 standards
- Shreds up to 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time; shreds credit cards (one at a time, but not suitable for metal credit cards), staples, and small paper clips
- 3 minute runtime and 30 minute cool down; if unit goes beyond max run time, it automatically shuts off to prevent overheating
- 4 mode control switch (auto/on, off, reverse, forward) and LED status indicators for power on, overheat and overload; easy to empty 3.7 gallon bin
- Quality tested: As part of Amazon Basics quality inspections, we test every shredder before shipping it, which means you may see some paper shreds from the testing
Check and freeze a child’s credit file
Children generally do not have credit reports unless their information has been used to open accounts or otherwise create a file. Ask each bureau to search for a report using its current minor inquiry process. The FTC advises that a parent or guardian can request a free freeze for a child under 16; the FTC’s child identity-theft guidance states: “If your child is under 16, request a free credit freeze to make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your child’s name.”
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Request a copy and review it for accounts or other information your child does not recognize. Request a freeze from that bureau, and repeat the search, report request, and freeze process with the other two. Follow the bureau’s instructions for blocking or disputing fraudulent entries.
Rank #3
- P-4 Level Security: Crosscut shredder for home office heavy duty can handle 12 sheets effortlessly per pass, make sure your important documents are securely shredded, can shred paper, credit card, staple or clips into 13/64*51/64 inches (5*20mm) tiny particles.
- 6-Minute Continuous Shredding: Based on the patented cooling system, Bonsaii paper shredder for home use heavy duty can run continuously for up to 6 minutes without worrying about overheating or slowing down, ideal paper shredder for home office use or small office use.
- Easy Operation & Safe Protection: Auto start/stop and manual-forward/reverse function protect the paper shredder heavy duty from the frustration of paper jams. Overheat protection helps you use paper shredder without worrying and prolong its lifetime. The document shredder will stop working once you lift the head, keeping you safe.
- Compact Sizes: The shredder for home office comes with a portable handle on the shredder head and a 5.5 Gal large transparent window wastebasket; with the compact size of 12.6*7.91*18.3 inches, you can place it in the corner or under the desk, it's perfect for home use or office use.
- Professional Service: Bonsaii provides 1-Year limited warranty for your shredders for home office heavy duty. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.
If the bureau finds no report
Ask the bureau about placing a freeze for a protected consumer with no existing file. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that a nationwide bureau can create a record solely to place a freeze for a protected consumer. That freeze-only record is not a conventional credit history used for lending.
Prepare documents and confirm each bureau’s requirements
A child’s freeze is not typically an adult-style online request. Each bureau may require documents showing the child’s identity, your identity and address, and your parentage or legal authority. Requirements vary, so use each bureau’s current instructions, send only the documents it requests, retain copies, and keep its confirmation letter.
Rank #4
- 【Cross Cut & Credit Card Paper Shredder】The cross cut shredder shreds paper into 5x14mm particles, achieving P-4 level security. Shreds up to 6 sheets at once without removing staples, also handling paper clips and credit card (one at a time)
- 【Continuous Performance】The operating time is 4 minutes, with a 20-minute cooling cycle. If the shredding time exceeds 4 minutes, the overheating indicator will light up. After a 20-minute cooling cycle, it can resume operation
- 【Easy to Clean & Place】 Bonsaii shredder’s head features a handle for easy lifting; the separate 3.4-gallon bin has a clear window for quick disposal. Compact dimensions (11.81" × 7.09" × 14.26") make it perfect for home and small office spaces, fitting neatly under desks.
- 【Easy Operation & Safety Features】Auto start/stop and manual-reverse functions protect the paper shredder from the frustration of paper jams. The overheat protection function effectively extends the lifespan of the shredder, The document shredder will stop working once you lift the head, ensuring your safety.
- 【1-Year Warranty】Bonsaii offers a 1-year warranty for your shredders for home use heavy duty. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We test every shredder before shipping, so you may notice some paper shreds from the testing
The under-16 parent or guardian procedure does not apply identically to older teenagers. The FTC says a 16- or 17-year-old may request and remove a freeze themselves. For current details, see the FTC’s recovery steps.
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Choose whether to add a fraud alert
A fraud alert and a freeze work differently. A one-year fraud alert asks creditors to take reasonable steps to verify your identity before opening credit. You can request it from one bureau, which must notify the other two. If you are an identity-theft victim, you can request an extended alert lasting seven years by providing an FTC Identity Theft Report. The FTC describes both protections in its Know Your Rights guidance. You may consider an alert alongside a freeze; neither automatically completes the other’s steps.
Best Value
- 8-Sheet Shredding Capacity: Home shredder can shred up to 8 sheets of paper at a time, and can shred credit cards/CDs/DVDs/and other important documents to meet your other needs.
- Overheat Protection: Home office shredder can run continuously for 2 minutes. When the run time is exceeded, the overheat LED will flash red. Allow the shredder to cool for 15 minutes before using again.
- Easy to Use: Small paper shredder features a safe start mode and manual reverse jam clearing. When the machine jams paper, you can easily solve the paper jam problem by pressing the FWD button.
- Suitable for Home Office Use: The size of the confetti is 15/64 inches, which can protect your privacy. The 3.4 gallon bin can meet the daily needs of the family.
- Important Note: Do not spray or keep any aerosol products in or around the shredder.
Remove fraudulent accounts and report information
For each fraudulent account, contact the company’s fraud department, explain that your identity was used, request closure, and ask for written confirmation that the account is not yours and that you are not liable. Provide your FTC Identity Theft Report and other documents the company requests. For a child’s account, state clearly that it was opened using a minor’s information.
If fraudulent information appears on a credit report, write to the bureau, identify the entries, and request that they be blocked through the identity-theft process. The FTC explains blocking rights and supporting documents in Know Your Rights. An FTC report can support a request to block qualifying fraudulent information, but it does not automatically freeze reports, close accounts, or complete the recovery work for you.
Keep paperwork and personal information secure
Save copies of reports, identity-theft paperwork, letters, and bureau freeze confirmations. The FTC recommends shredding documents containing a child’s personal information before disposal; a cross-cut shredder is one option, or look for a local shred day. See the FTC’s child identity-theft advice.
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