Cell Phone Contracts: Providers of mobile phone services may check your credit before offering you a contract.A credit freeze may affect their ability to access this information. Insurance Premiums: Some insurance companies use credit information to determine premiums for auto and homeowners insurance.A credit freeze restricts their ability to do so unless you provide authorization.
Rental Applications: Landlords and property management companies may review your credit history as part of the rental application process.With a credit freeze, potential employers cannot access your credit report without your permission. Credit Checks for Employment: Employers often check credit histories as part of the hiring process.If someone tries to open a new credit account in your name, the creditor won’t be able to check your credit history, making it more challenging for fraudulent accounts to be opened. New Credit Applications: A credit freeze prevents new creditors from accessing your credit reports.Here are some specific effects of a credit freeze: A credit freeze (or security freeze) can impact various aspects of your financial life by restricting access to your credit reports. It bars unauthorized access, making it a fortress against identity thieves. Now, imagine a force field around this crucial information – that’s a credit freeze. Your credit report is a snapshot of your financial history, your credit score is your financial report card, and credit inquiries are the footprints of anyone checking on your financial health. By restricting access to your credit information, it’s considerably more challenging for identity thieves to open new credit lines using your personal information. Freezing your credit is a proactive step that restricts access to your credit reports and in turn the opening of new accounts in your name. Individuals aged 30-39 are the most frequently targeted age group among identity theft victims in the United States.A staggering 87% of individuals expose their personal information online.witnesses over 50,000 individual personal data breaches each year. More than 300,000 Americans are targeted by phishing, vishing, or smishing attacks annually.population has experienced identity theft. Identity Theft & Fraud Key Statistics (2024): What to do if you believe you are a victim of identity theft?.Step 8: Lift or Remove Freeze (When Necessary).Step-by-Step Guide to Freeze Your Credit.Planning Ahead to Temporary Lift The Credit Freeze.How Does a Credit Freeze Affect My Credit Score?.Will a Credit Freeze Affect My Existing Accounts?.Identity Theft & Fraud Key Statistics (2024):.The same form can also be used to temporarily or permanently lift a credit freeze. We recommend sending the letter via certified mail. You'll need to mail it, along with copies of your Social Security card or pay stubs showing the number, plus copies of your driver's license, utility bills or other documents showing your address, to: Print and fill out the form on this page. How to set up a credit freeze with Equifax by mail Once your freeze is set up, you'll be given a PIN that will unfreeze your credit. You'll be asked for your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number to verify your identity. Eastern time during the week, and between 9 a.m. How to set up a credit freeze with Equifax by telephoneĬall Equifax at (888) 298-0045 between 9 a.m. You won't need to set up a PIN to unfreeze it if you have an Equifax account - your username and password will be enough. Then you'll be able to freeze your credit.
Make sure the password is unique and strong. Equifax will retrieve your information and prompt you to set up an Equifax account. Then you'll have to fill out personal information, including your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number. Go to the dedicated page on the Equifax website at and click "Get started with a freeze." This is the easiest way to freeze your credit with Equifax. How to set up a credit freeze with Equifax online We also have guides on how to freeze your credit with Experian and how to freeze your credit with TransUnion. Equifax doesn't let you have a credit lock and a credit freeze at the same time.īelow is how to set up an Equifax credit freeze. The difference is that Lock & Report isn't regulated by the federal government, and Equifax makes more money if it's easier to unlock your files. To do this with a credit freeze, you have to log into your account on the Equifax website. Equifax also offers a free service called "Lock & Report" that is basically the same as a credit freeze, except that there are mobile apps for iOS and Android that let you "unlock" your Equifax credit file with a swipe of a finger.