If it’s so danged important, post it here. It’s public information anyway, so no need to drive traffic to a hit farm.
*************
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, copy of a valid id, proof of address (e.g. copy of 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. The credit bureau probably won’t return your documents, so send copies not originals. 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.
•Equifax: Freeze Your Equifax Credit Report, 1-800-685-1111 (NY residents 1-800-349-9960)
•Experian: Freeze Your Experian Credit Report, 1-888-397-3742
•TransUnion: Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Report, 1-888-909-8872
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.
You can also place a security freeze by mail (use certified mail). Make sure you send the following information in your request:
•Your full name, including your middle initial any generational suffix (e.g. Jr., II, etc.)
•Complete current address, and previous addresses for the past two years
•Date of birth, month, day, and year
•Social security number
•Proof of identification (e.g. a photocopy of your valid driver’s license, passport, state ID, military ID, or birth certificate)
•Address verification (e.g. utility bill, cell phone bill, pay stub. Do not send a credit cards statement, magazine subscription, voided check, or lease agreement)
•Payment (check, money order, or major credit card)
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
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
Like I knew that the site was a “hit farm”. I got the link from a friend of mine. Next time I will be more careful posting helpful information. I certainly don’t want to offend you.
Thanks
BOOKMARK
After putting all that information plus a check into the US mail, we’re supposed to feel safe and foolishly secure that no one stole it via theft of your letter(s)? Or, theft at the credit agency because all their employees are trustworthy; yeah right? That’s how we got here in the first place.
We live in an amoral country where no one is responsible for anything and we’re all left out there with our rears exposed.
Please advise! And, why is anyone having to pay for this BS when we didn’t cause this and the credit reporting agencies are making money off of us?
These agencies and the US Congress has We The People chasing our tails 24/7, IMO.
These are the same three that Clark Howard, consumer expert in Atlanta said had to be notified. Some posting here say four. Guide to freeze credit is at the link.
http://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/credit-freeze-and-thaw-guide/
Does anyone know if credit cards need the same protection? There are different opinions on this.
I assume that the credit freeze would affect all LARGE amounts - house, car etc., but maybe that’s wrong...how about retail stores credit lines?
Have asked these same questions on another thread but it seems no one has any answers or they don’t think the questions are necessary. It’s sure not clear to me..
Everything you read refers to FREEZING YOUR CREDIT REPORT...It’s not the report I’m concerned with - it’s the CREDIT!
Bkmrk.
Excellent Larry:
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.
•Equifax: Freeze Your Equifax Credit Report, 1-800-685-1111 (NY residents 1-800-349-9960)
•Experian: Freeze Your Experian Credit Report, 1-888-397-3742
•TransUnion: Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Report, 1-888-909-8872
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.
You can also place a security freeze by mail (use certified mail). Make sure you send the following information in your request:
•Your full name, including your middle initial any generational suffix (e.g. Jr., II, etc.)
•Complete current address, and previous addresses for the past two years
•Date of birth, month, day, and year
•Social security number
•Proof of identification (e.g. a photocopy of your valid driver’s license, passport, state ID, military ID, or birth certificate)
•Address verification (e.g. utility bill, cell phone bill, pay stub. Do not send a credit cards statement, magazine subscription, voided check, or lease agreement)
•Payment (check, money order, or major credit card)
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
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000