Oct 10, 2017 As a result of the Equifax data breach, more than 145 million Americans have had their personal data exposed. This article explains how to lock and monitor your credit at all three credit bureaus.
Credit Freezes
Having your identity stolen is no stroll along the beach. Getting your name cleared takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes money. Victims of identity theft often suffer months and even years after it occurs. It can seem like you’re the one doing time even though you weren’t the one who committed the crime. To prevent your identity from being stolen, or to prevent further identity theft after your identity has already been stolen, you might consider freezing your credit report.
How a Security Freeze Works
Your credit report contains information about your payment patterns that creditors and lenders use to make credit decisions about you. When you freeze your credit report, creditors and lenders can’t pull your credit report or credit score (the numeric value given to your credit report) unless you’ve provided the credit bureau a password to unlock your credit report. Since most banks require a credit check, an application for credit would likely be denied. You can freeze your credit report at all three major credit bureaus, but it must be done individually.
The security freeze isn't completely foolproof. Creditors and lenders with whom you already have accounts can access your credit report and score without you first unlocking your credit report. Certain law enforcement agencies and other government entities can access your credit report and score despite a security freeze.
The freeze doesn’t affect your credit score though it may make it harder for you to check your credit score through third-party websites.
Should You Freeze Your Credit Report?
Consider placing a security freeze on your credit report if any of the following applies to you.
State Law and Security Freezes
Most have laws requiring credit reporting agencies, aka credit bureaus, to allow security freezes on credit reports. However, 9 states (Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Virginia) don’t have such laws. For these states, all three credit bureaus, voluntarily allow consumers to freeze their credit reports.
In most states, the freeze remains in effect until you remove it. In a few states, the freeze expires after seven years. Check the credit bureau websites for the security freeze laws in your state.
Fees range from $5 to $20 to freeze, temporarily lift the freeze, remove the freeze, or to replace your PIN (the personal identification number used to freeze or unfreeze your credit report). If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, there is no fee to freeze your credit report. Some states also waive the fees for seniors over a certain age.
How to Freeze Your Credit Report
You must freeze your credit report at each credit bureau individually since there’s no way to freeze all three credit reports at once. Requests to freeze your credit report must be made in writing and should include your name, address, date of birth, social security number, a copy of a valid id, proof of address (e.g., a copy of a utility bill) and payment. Payment can be made via check or credit card.
Special Documents for Identity Theft Victims
In most states, you don't have to pay to freeze (or unfreeze) your credit report if you've been a victim of identity theft. Identity theft victims should provide proof of the theft, i.e., a copy of a police report, identity theft report, or DMV report.
Send copies because the credit bureau probably won't return your documents. Don't send originals.
Credit Score Credit Report
Finally, mail your request via certified mail with return receipt requested to the credit bureau.
After the credit bureau receives your request, it will respond with confirmation that your credit report has been frozen. You will also receive a PIN or password to use whenever you need to temporarily unfreeze or permanently remove the freeze from your credit report.
Freezing Your Credit Report at Each Credit Bureau
Visit each credit bureau’s site to get more information about placing a security freeze on your credit report. Ultimate mahjongg 20 windows 10.
Note that credit bureaus may experience high call volumes and web traffic after major data breaches and other widespread identity attacks. You may experience long phone wait times and even have difficulty accessing the credit bureau online security freeze forms during these times.
Get Your 3 Credit Reports
You can also place a security freeze by mail (use certified mail). Make sure you send the following information in your request:
Here are the credit bureau addresses you should use to mail your security freeze application and documentation.
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, Georgia 30348 All 3 Credit Reports Free
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 Federal Credit Bureau Agency
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022-2000 Comments are closed.
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