How to Put a Security Freeze on a Credit Account

Every year, identity theft strikes millions of new people in the U.S. A security freeze allows you to lock your credit report, preventing anyone from opening up a new account. Because the information is not accessible to creditors, the thief will not be able to obtain a new credit line. It is very important that you freeze your credit report at all three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

Instructions

1

Check the Consumers Union's Guide to Security Freeze Protection to find out if your state has fee requirements (see Resource). You will need this information for filing a security freeze with any of the three major credit bureaus.

2

Submit your security request online to TransUnion's website (see Resources). Register for a new account if you do not have one. Log on and supply the requested information. You will need your name, address and Social Security number, date of birth and a method of paying the fee, if any. Have ready a six-digit number to use as a personal identification number (PIN) if you need to contact TransUnion again about your freeze.

3

Request the freeze by telephone from TransUnion by calling 888-909-8872. You will need the same information from Step 2, plus a way to pay the fee and your PIN if you need to contact TransUnion again about your freeze.

4

Mail your written request by certified mail to TransUnion at:

TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
1561 E. Orangethorpe Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92831

Include your name, address and Social Security number and the required fee, if any. Include an official copy of proof where you live, such as your driver's license.

5

Go to the Experian website to submit your request online (see Resources). After you select your state, the Experian site will provide details on your state's fee requirements. To freeze your account, you will need to give your name and address, date of birth, Social Security number and previous addresses if you have lived at your current address for less than two years.

6

Send a written request for a security freeze to Experian using certified mail. The address is:

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

Include your full name, current mailing address and previous addresses for the past two years, Social Security number, date of birth, one copy of a government-issued identification such as a driver's license and one copy of a utility bill or bank statement. Include any fee, if necessary.

7

Write a letter to Equifax for your security freeze and include the following information: complete name (be sure to include any middle name or initial and any suffixes like Jr.), complete address, Social Security number and date of birth.

Mail your written request using certified mail to:

Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348

Include any fee, if required.