Security Freezes for Protected Consumers (minors under 16 and incapacitated persons)
IN Protected Consumer Freeze
Credit reporting · Children
A parent, guardian, or other representative may freeze the credit report of a child under 16 or an incapacitated adult. If no report exists, the agency must create a record and freeze it, so no credit file can be opened in the child's name until the freeze is lifted.
- Where
- Indiana
- Citation
- Ind. Code ch. 24-5-24.5 (IC 24-5-24.5-1 to 24-5-24.5-19)
- Status
- In force
- Enforced by
- Not specified in the chapter
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- The chapter does not state its own penalty or remedy.
- Applies to
- Consumer reporting agencies, for Indiana residents under 16 or incapacitated persons with a court-appointed guardian (IC 24-5-24.5-4)
Rights it gives people
- On a representative's request with proof of identity and authority, create a record if none exists and place a security freeze within 30 days.IC 24-5-24.5-11, 24-5-24.5-12
Practices it requires
- Do not release the protected consumer's report or record while the freeze is in place; remove it within 30 days of a proper request.IC 24-5-24.5-13, 24-5-24.5-16
Other duties
- The chapter allows a fee of up to $5 per placement or removal, with exceptions for identity-fraud victims and some minors; federal law (15 U.S.C. 1681c-1(j)) now requires protected-consumer freezes to be free.IC 24-5-24.5-17
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: The P.L.65-2014 effective date and the P.L.5-2015 amendment date were not confirmed. | The statement about federal preemption of the $5 fee is legal context, not verified against a primary source in this session.
Research reference, not legal advice.