Freeze, ID Thief!
About Security Freeze
A
security freeze is one of the most effective ways to prevent identity theft.
Under SB
116, beginning September 1, 2007, 39 states can put
a security freeze on their credit files, which means those files cannot
be shared with potential creditors.
A security freeze allows consumers to proactively "lock up" their credit information so no one can access it without their permission. This prevents a thief from falsely using someone else's identity to take out a new mortgage, apply for a credit card or get financing.
The freeze is easily lifted if consumers plan to make a major purchase, open a new credit card or take out a loan.
Background Checks - A freeze will prevent an employer from getting your credit report as part of a background check. You have to lift the freeze to allow a complete background check, just as you do to apply for credit. Be sure to request a security freeze lift at least 5 or more days prior to a temporary freeze lift to avoid any complications. The credit bureaus must lift a freeze no later than three business days after receiving your request.
A security freeze will NOT:
- lower your credit score
- prevent you from getting your own credit report
- stop credit card companies from sending you pre-approved credit offers. To stop most pre-approved credit offers, call 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688) or go online to www.optoutprescreen.com. You can choose to opt out for five years or permanently.
Using a Security Freeze
What will It Cost You?
It
costs $3 to place a security freeze on your credit files with a credit
bureau, for a total of $9 to freeze your files with all three credit bureaus.
For a security freeze to be effective for married couples, both spouses
have to freeze their separate credit files. The total cost for a couple
is $18.
- There is no fee for identity theft victims who have filed a police report of identity theft to freeze their files.
- To have a freeze temporarily lifted also costs $3 per credit bureau. There is no fee to permanently remove a security freeze.
how to Request a Security Freeze
To place a security freeze on your credit files, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus.
- Provide identifying information including, at a minimum, your name, address and Social Security number.
- Pay the $3 security freeze fee by check or credit card, unless you are an identity theft victim. If you are a victim, provide a copy of the police report of identity theft.
- For a security freeze to be effective for married couples, both spouses have to freeze their separate credit files, via separate letters requesting the freeze. The total cost for a couple is $3 x 3 credit bureaus x 2 people = $18.
- Send separate letters to each of the three credit bureaus. For married
couples, both spouses must request to freeze their credit files via separate
request letters:
-
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
(800) 525-6285Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
(888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
(800) 680-7289
- The credit bureaus must place the freeze on your files within five business days of receiving your written request. If you are a victim of identity theft, they must place the freeze within 24 hours of getting the police report and information confirming your identity.
- Each of the credit bureaus will send you written notice that the freeze
is in place within five days of it going into effect. This confirmation
will include:
- a Personal Identification Number (PIN),
- instructions on how to lift or remove the freeze
How To Temporarily Lift a Security Freeze
To open a new credit account, take out a new loan or allow a background check, consumers need to temporarily lift the security freeze on their credit files. It can be lifted for a specific period of time or for a specific creditor.
- Contact each of the credit bureaus by phone and use your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- Specify whether you want to temporarily lift the freeze for a specific date range or creditor.
- Pay the $3 lift fee to each credit bureau.
The credit bureaus must lift a freeze no later than three business days after receiving your request.
How To Permanently Remove a Security Freeze
You can permanently remove a security freeze at any time by calling the credit bureaus and using your PIN. There is no fee for permanently removing a security freeze.
The credit bureaus must remove the security freeze within three days.
Who Can Still Access a Frozen Credit File?
When a file is protected by a security freeze, a creditor who requests that file will get a message or a code indicating that the file is frozen. However, when you have a security freeze on your credit file, certain entities can still access 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.
- Government agencies may access your report for collecting child support payments or taxes, or for investigating Medicaid fraud. Government agencies may also access it in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena or a search warrant.
Fraud Alerts
A fraud alert:
- is a special message that people who suspect they may be identity theft victims can have placed on the report a credit issuer receives when it checks a consumer's credit rating
- tells the credit issuer there may be fraudulent activity on an account
- can help protect consumers against identity theft
- can slow your ability to get new credit, but does not stop you from using existing credit cards or other accounts
A fraud alert is not the same as a security freeze. While a fraud alert may slow down issuing new credit, it does not stop it. A security freeze will stop someone else getting new credit in your name.
Contact Consumer Protection
You can get your questions or concerns about using a security freeze by contacting the Office of Consumer Protection in your state.