How to Freeze Your Credit Report?
What is a Credit Report Freeze?
Security freeze is another term for credit report freeze and this is a free feature which enables you to limit access to your credit report. This makes it less easy for identity thieves to open credit accounts in your name because most of the creditors require them to pull your credit report before extending credit. A freeze to your credit report means that no persons or companies, including lenders, can access your credit report until the freeze is lifted.
Why You Might Want to Freeze Your Credit Report
Disputing a credit report also requires that you freeze your credit report, it is an important step in protecting your identity. Here are some common reasons why people choose to freeze their credit reports:
- Protection Against Identity Theft: In case you have become a victim of identity theft and your individual information was stolen, you can freeze your credit report and this would help not let the criminals open credit accounts in your name.
- Peace of Mind: It is helpful to know that the credit report is locked, particularly if recent instances of data breaches have occurred.
- Control Over Your Credit Information: Someone must freeze your credit for you, and it means that you are in charge of who will use your credit report.
How to Freeze Your Credit Report: Step-by-Step Guide
By now you should be able to understand that freezing your credit report is quite easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it:
- Gather Your Information: You would be required having your name, your address, your date of birth, your Social Security number and others.
- Contact the Major Credit Bureaus: To remove the entries, you will have to contact the three main bureaus, which includes Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Note that each bureau has specific steps that you have to go through, therefore you have to get in touch with each bureau individually.
- Submit Your Request: To place the freeze, one requires to do it online or through a phone or even sending a letter via mail. Expect to give your identification details and you could be asked certain questions for identification purposes.
- Receive a Confirmation: Once done you will get a confirmation note along with a PIN or password pertaining to the freeze. Save this for future use, you will require it when you wish to unfreeze the account.
Contact Information for Major Credit Bureaus
To freeze your credit report, therefore, you will need to contact all the three main credit report companies. Below is the detailed contact information for Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion:
| Credit Bureau | Website | Phone Number | Mailing Address |
| Equifax | www.equifax.com | 1-800-349-9960 | Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348 |
| Experian | www.experian.com | 1-888-397-3742 | Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 |
| TransUnion | www.transunion.com | 1-888-909-8872 | TransUnion Security Freeze, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 |
FAQs
1. How long does it take to freeze or unfreeze my credit report?
Any freeze or unfreeze of your credit report done through the internet or via phone call is likely to take one hour to be implemented. It should be noted that if you request by mail it may take up to ten business days to process your request if the credit bureau receives your request up to three business days.
2. Is it still possible to use credit cards I have and or having a frozen credit report?
Yes, a credit freeze doesn’t impact your credit accounts that are already open; therefore, you do not have to stop using your credit cards and other credit facilities.
3. Does credit freeze lower your credit score?
Freezing one’s credit report does not affect the credit score you have.
4. May I temporarily freeze my credit report if I am under 18 years of age?
Yes, parents and guardians can ask for a credit freeze for their minor children to cover them from credit identity theft.
5. Is there a fee to freeze or unfreeze my credit report?
No, since 2018 freezing and unfreezing of credit reports is free in the United States only.
6. In case I have forgotten the PIN or password to the Credit/Debit card, what should I do?
If for instance, you have forgotten your PIN or password used to access the credit bureau, you will have to provide an identification test to get a new one. The above process may differ in various bureaus.
Credit freeze helps to shield personal data and three credit bureaus make the process easy to perform. Once you examine the process and the advantages, you will be able to weigh the possible decision of utilizing the freeze of credit.
Some of the do’s are; Ensure that you save your PINs and passwords given by the credit bureaus, and expect to temporarily lift the freeze. By following these steps for credit management, you can be guaranteed that your credit information is safe and your freedom from financial hardship assured.
