Depending on which
state your live, you have the right to put a "security freeze" on your
credit file. A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared
with potential creditors. A security freeze can help prevent identity
theft. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without first
checking a consumer's credit history. If your credit files are frozen,
even someone who has your name and Social Security number would probably
not be able to get credit in your name.
A security freeze is
free to identity theft victims who have a police report of identity
theft. If you are not an identity theft victim, it will cost you $10 to
place a freeze with each credit bureau. That’s a total of $30 to freeze
your files.
How do I
place a security freeze on my credit file?
To place a freeze, you
must write to each of the three credit bureaus. You must provide
identifying information. If you are an identity theft victim, provide a
copy of your police report (or DMV investigative report) of identity
theft. Otherwise provide payment of $10 to each of the credit bureaus.
Write to the
addresses below:
Equifax
Security Freeze
P.O. Box
105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
 | Send by certified mail.
|
| Include full name, with middle
initial and Jr./Sr., etc. |
| Include current address and home
addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth date, and
two proofs of residence (copy of driver license, utility bill,
insurance statement, bank statement). |
| Pay by check, money order or credit
card. Give name of credit card, account number and expiration date.
|
| Send by regular or certified mail.
|
| Include first name, middle initial,
last name, Jr., etc. |
| Current home address and addresses
for past five years, Social Security number, and birth date.
|
| Pay by check, money order or credit
card. Give name of credit card, account number and expiration date.
|
Can I open
new credit accounts if my files are frozen?
Yes. If you want to
open a new credit account or get a new loan, you can lift the freeze on
your credit file. You can lift it for a period of time. Or you can lift
it for a specific creditor. After you send your letter asking for the
freeze, each of the credit bureaus will send you a Personal
Identification Number (PIN). You will also get instructions on how to
lift the freeze. You can lift the freeze by phone, using your PIN. The
credit bureaus must lift your freeze within three days. The fee for
lifting the freeze temporarily is $10 for a date-range lift and $12 for
a lift for a specific creditor.
What is the
difference between a fraud alert and a freeze?
A fraud alert is a
special message on the report that a credit issuer receives when
checking a consumer’s credit rating. It tells the credit issuer that
there may be fraud involved in the account. A fraud alert can help
protect you against identity theft. A fraud alert can also slow down
your ability to get new credit. It should not stop you from using your
existing credit cards or other accounts. A security freeze means that
your credit file cannot be seen by potential creditors, insurance
companies, or employers doing background checks, unless you give your
consent. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without first
checking a consumer’s credit history.
How long does
it take for a security freeze to be in effect?
Credit bureaus must
place the freeze no later than five business days after receiving your
written request.
How long does
it take for a security freeze to be lifted?
Credit bureaus must
lift a freeze no later than three business days after receiving your
request.
What will a
creditor who requests my file see if it is frozen?
A creditor will see a
message or a code indicating that the file is frozen.
Can a
creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen?
No. A creditor who
requests your file from one of the three credit bureaus will only get a
message or a code indicating that the file is frozen.
Can I order
my own credit report if my file is frozen?
Yes.
Can anyone
see my credit file if it is frozen?
When you have a
security freeze on your credit file, certain entities still have access
to it. Your report can still be released to your existing creditors or
to collection agencies acting on their behalf. They can use it to review
or collect on your account. Other creditors may also use your
information to make offers of credit-unless you opt out of receiving
such offers. See below for how to opt out of pre-approved credit offers.
Government agencies may have access for collecting child support
payments or taxes or for investigating Medi-Cal fraud. Government
agencies may also have access in response to a court or administrative
order, a subpoena, or a search warrant.
Do I have to
freeze my file with all three credit bureaus?
Yes. Different credit
issuers may use different credit bureaus. If you want to stop your
credit file from being viewed, you need to freeze it with Equifax,
Experian and TransUnion.
Can an
employer do a background check on me if I have a freeze on my credit
file?
No. You would have to
lift the freeze to allow a background check or to apply for insurance,
just as you would to apply for credit. The process for lifting the
freeze is described above.
Does freezing
my file mean that I won’t receive pre-approved credit offers?
No. You can stop the
pre-approved credit offers by calling 1-888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688).
Or you can do this online at
www.optoutprescreen.com. This will stop most of the offers,
the ones that go through the credit bureaus. It’s good for five years or
you can make it permanent.
Sample Freeze Letter to Equifax
| Date:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
Dear Equifax:
I would like to place a security
freeze on my credit file.
My name is:
My current address is:
My former address was:
My Social Security number is:
My date of birth is:
CHOOSE ONE OF THE 2 OPTIONS
BELLOW
I am an identity theft victim and
a copy of my police report or DMV
investigative report of identity theft is enclosed.
OR
I will pay the fee of $10 for placing the freeze by:
Yours truly,
|
Sample Freeze Letter to Experian
| Date:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Dear Experian:
I would like to place a security
freeze on my credit file.
My name is:
My current address is:
Below is a list of my addresses
for the past five years:
My Social Security number is:
My date of birth is:
As proof of my residence, I am
enclosing the following two items:
CHOOSE ONE OF THE 2 OPTIONS
BELLOW
I am an identity theft victim and
a copy of my police report or DMV
investigative report of identity theft is enclosed.
OR
I will pay the fee of $10 for placing the freeze by:
Yours truly,
|
Sample Freeze Letter to Trans Union
| Date:
TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Dear TransUnion:
I would like to place a security
freeze on my credit file.
My name is:
My current address is:
Below is a list of my addresses
for the past five years:
My Social Security number is:
My date of birth is:
CHOOSE ONE OF THE 2 OPTIONS
BELLOW
I am an identity theft victim and
a copy of my police report or DMV
investigative report of identity theft is enclosed.
OR
I will pay the fee of $10 for placing the freeze by:
Yours truly,
|
