Security Freeze Information (also know as a Credit Freeze)

In general, a credit freeze, also called a security freeze, allow consumers to notify the credit reporting agencies to block access to their credit report from potential creditors and insurance companies. Basically when you place a credit freeze on your credit report, you are telling the credit report agency not to release your credit report in situations where creditors are trying to open new credit accounts in your name.

Security freezes are especially useful for helping to prevent identity theft because lenders will not normally open a new credit account without first seeing your credit report. However, even a credit freeze cannot prevent all risk of identity theft, as some creditors will extend credit even without a credit report. Plus existing creditors may not be blocked from getting your credit report by a freeze. Also your credit file may not be fully blocked to “prescreen” marketing offers of credit (see Opt Out Information.)

To elaborate on who may see your report even if it is frozen, certain entities will still have access to your credit report. This includes your current creditors who have an existing business relationship with you who may want to pull your credit report to review your account, as well as collection agencies who work on their behalf. Other prospective creditors may have access to some of the information in your credit report unless you opt-out of receiving such pre-approved marketing offers. Here’s a link about how to opt-out.

To request a security freeze on your credit report, you must contact each of the three national credit bureaus individually – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. Each of the 3 credit reporting agencies may or may not have charges to add or remove a credit freeze on your credit report or to administer other credit freeze actions. Fees will generally depend on State and Federal laws and/or the policies of the individual credit bureau for your state.

Here are contact links, phone numbers and addresses for the 3 national credit agencies:

www.Equifax.com
1-800-685-1111
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348

Send a request to freeze access to your files by certified mail.
Your name, current and former address, Social Security number, date of birth
You may pay by check, money order or credit card. Credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover only): Give name of card, account number, expiration date
ID theft victim must include: valid copy of police report, investigative report or complaint filed with law enforcement agency

www.Experian.com
1-888-397-3742
Experian Security Freeze
P. O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

Send a request to freeze access to your files by certified mail.
Your full name, with middle initial and Jr./Sr., etc.
Your current address and home addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth date, two proofs of residence (copy of driver's license, utility bill, insurance statement, bank statement)
You may pay by check, money order or credit card. Credit card: Give name of card, account number and expiration date.
ID theft victim must include: valid copy of police report, investigative report or complaint filed with law enforcement agency

www.TransUnion.com
1-888-909-8872
Trans Union Security Freeze
P. O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Send a request to freeze access to your files by regular or certified mail.
Your first name, middle initial, last name, Jr., etc.
Your current home address and addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth date
You may pay by check, money order or credit card. Credit card: Give name of card, account number and expiration date.
ID theft victim must include: valid copy of police report, investigative report or complaint filed with law enforcement agency

Once you have a credit freeze placed on your credit report, you may “lift” the credit freeze off your credit report for a temporary period, or you may permanently remove it from your credit report. Fees may be involved depending on your circumstances and your State’s law.

In some states you may even be able to lift your credit freeze for a specific lender, so that the particular lender may obtain your credit report. To facilitate administration of your credit freeze, you may be assigned a Personal Identification Number or PIN number from the credit bureau. Your PIN number may be required to change or manage your credit freeze. If you lose your PIN number or need a new one, the credit bureau will have a procedure to obtain a new one. See your state in the list below.

Credit freezes are not the same as Fraud Alerts on your credit report.

Even if you have placed a credit freeze on your credit report, you will still have access to getting copies of your own credit report. It is the creditors who do not have an existing relationship with you who are will be prevented access.

A security freeze on your credit report does not affect your credit score. However, a creditor cannot normally get your credit score without getting your credit report, so if they cannot get your credit report, they cannot normally obtain your score either.

It may take as long as 5 days for a written request for a credit freeze to take effect after you complete the credit bureau’s requirements to place a credit freeze on your credit report.

Security Freeze FAQs

Can anyone freeze their credit file?
Yes.

How long does a freeze last?
The freeze generally lasts until you remove it. When you remove your credit freeze, it may be temporary or permanent, depending on your instructions.

Can you open a new credit account while you have a freeze on your credit report?
Probably not unless a lender is willing to extend credit to you without looking at your credit report.

What’s a temporary removal?
A temporary removal removes the freeze for a short period of time. For example, you might consider a temporary removal of your credit freeze for a period during which you want to apply for credit or a loan. That allows your prospective creditor time to obtain your credit report and evaluate your eligibility for credit.

Can I remove or “lift” the credit freeze for specific lenders?

In some states the credit reporting agencies allow you to lift your credit freeze for a specific party. In other states this feature is not available. Check your state for more information.

Do I have to freeze my credit at just one credit reporting agency or at all 3?
If you are going to freeze your credit report, it is recommended to freeze it at all three national credit reporting agencies because each operates separately from the other. A freeze at one agency is not necessarily shared at the other credit agencies unless you contact all three separately.

How much does it cost to freeze and unfreeze my credit reports?

It depends. Some freezes are free under State law, for example, for identity theft victims. Or for the elderly. Each state may have different qualifications, prices and procedures. Check the state in which you reside for specific requirements.

Can a credit freeze be placed on the report of a deceased person?
Yes.

Can a credit freeze be placed on the report of a child?
Yes.