How to Stop Credit Checks

In 2003 the state of California started to allow its citizens to freeze their credit reports for a fee, and lock out creditors from seeing their credit profiles. In 2007, the federal government gave that right to every American citizen. A credit freeze prevents creditors from accessing your credit information for any reason, putting an end to unauthorized credit checks. If you are the victim of identity theft, then a credit freeze is free. The fees for any other situation vary by state and can be obtained from the three credit reporting agencies.

Instructions

Freezing Your Credit Profile

1

Gather up the information required for filing a credit freeze: your Social Security number, current home address, past home addresses for at least the last two years, date of birth, phone number and any aliases you may have gone by or currently go by. If you are a victim of identity theft, then you will need to provide a copy of the police report that you filed when you reported the crime.

2

File for your credit freeze with each of the three agencies. Equifax and TransUnion will allow you to apply for a credit freeze either by standard mail, through an Internet form or by telephone. Experian allows you to use standard mail or an Internet form, but they do not allow credit freezes over the phone.

3

Prior to finalizing your form, check the pricing matrix on each of the credit agency's websites to see what the cost will be for filing a credit freeze. If you are a victim of identity theft, then you will not pay a fee. Some states also allow for a free credit freeze for people 65 years of age and older.

4

Make a copy of every piece of information you send to the credit agencies, and also print out any online forms that you submit. Keep this information, along with any correspondence you receive from the agencies, in a file folder for safe keeping. Be sure to print out and save any emails you send or receive to the agencies.

5

Review the information for lifting and replacing a freeze on your profile if you would like to add a credit account in the future. Credit freezes remain on your credit report until you have it lifted, so you will not be able to get any new credit accounts until you release the freeze on your profile.