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Placing credit freezes

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Michael Hulse edited this page Aug 31, 2021 · 16 revisions

SEE ALSO: Stop junk (snail) mail!

How-to freeze my credit guide

To freeze credit reports, visit 3 major credit reporting sites:

1. TransUnion

Visit: freeze.transunion.com

Create account and place freeze. Cost: $10.00.

To temporarily un-freeze, create a PIN that you can remember.

If you end up not being able to verify your identity, do this:

Please contact us at (888) 909-8872 to initiate your security freeze transaction by phone.

2. Equifax

Visit: freeze.equifax.com

The form is sensitive; I input the right information but kept getting:

We are currently unable to service your request. Please try again later.

To reach a human for freeze: 888-298-0045 (M-F).

Alternatively, automated phone system: 1-800-685-1111

I have found that Equifax’s credit freeze management forms are tricky; I’d suggest just calling and speaking to a human.

Change of address

Include cover letter, indicate full name, current address, new address (they accept PO box addresses), phone number, and reason why sending documents (e.g. ”update current address on credit report”). You must include photo copies of:

  1. Drivers license
  2. Any ID with SSN on it and a photo OR W2 form (SSN card)
  3. Any utility bill

Fax: 1-888-826-0725

… OR …

Attn: Equifax Dispute Dept. PO Box 740256 Atlanta Georgia 30374-0256

3. Experian

Visit: experian.com/freeze

Click “Add a security freeze”.

Unfortunately, I kept getting:

We were unable to honor your request to place a security freeze on your personal credit report based on the information you entered.

Call instead: 1 (888) 397-3742

Go through the prompts … You’ll need your ssn#, mmddyyy, addy, payment/credit card info.

Phone call ends with "we have placed a freeze; you will receive mail with PIN number to un-freeze. Goodbye".

Tips!

Here’s a tip! I recommend using a password app, like 1password, to store the PINs you created from the above steps. 1password also allows you to store PDFs and other documents and notes. I like to export my emails as PDFs to and save everything related to my credit freeze in my 1password shared family “vault”.

If you have family members, don’t hesitate to help them freeze their credit as well! Just make sure they have access to the PINs needed to (temporarily/permanently) un-freeze their credit.

Placing fraud alert

If you know or suspect you have had your personal identification information stolen, you can visit Experian:

https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html

Once you submit a temporary fraud alert (1 year), they will:

  • Remove your name and address from prescreened offer mailing lists for six months (see also: Stop junk (snail) mail! OptOutPrescreen.com)
  • Share your request with the other nationwide consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax and TransUnion, and you should receive confirmation directly from them

In case you need it, here is contact info of each agency:

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