If the credit bureaus cannot readily verify your identity based on the information you provide, you may need to mail in copies of your driver's license, utility bills or other supporting documentation. You will need it to change the status of your freeze, like when you want to “thaw” or unfreeze it to get a loan for a new car or apply for a mortgage. Step 2: Select the security freeze option. You may be asked your previous address or questions about loans you’ve taken out. Step 1: Go to the credit bureau websites and locate the “security freeze” link.įor Equifax: For Experian: For TransUnion: Type in your name, address, social security number and date of birth. You can do it online, by phone or in writing. You must sign up with each credit bureau to place a credit freeze. More: Newville woman accused of using elderly relative's ID to get 6 credit cards Prior to the change in the law, a Pennsylvania consumer paid more than $30 to freeze all three of their major credit reports. All active duty military, including members of the National Guard, must have free credit monitoring.Fraud alerts must last a year, an increase from 90 days.Parents may request a credit file be created and frozen for children under 16.All credit bureaus must offer credit locks, for a charge, that can be used through a mobile app.All credit bureaus - including TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax – must offer credit freeze, credit thaw and credit unfreeze at no charge.21, nearly a year after a data breach at Equifax exposed personal information of about 143 million Americans. More: Identity theft may be the easiest crimeĪ new federal law took effect on Sept. Support local journalism: Here is a special offer for new subscribers “Freezing your credit can help thwart the criminals who are trying to steal your personal information, which can be more valuable than your money.” “Restricting or ‘freezing’ your credit can stop criminals from stealing your identity and opening credit cards or applying for loans in your name,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. A credit report is required for approval of a loan or a credit card. You can unfreeze it for free, too, when you want to shop for a loan.Ī freeze prevents lenders from pulling your credit report. HARRISBURG – You can protect yourself from identity theft by freezing your credit - for free.
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