Consumer Blog

Freezing your credit report - here's how

All 3 credit bureaus have now instructions on their Web sites for how to place a security freeze on your credit file. AG Nixon sent out a recent consumer alert encouraging consumers to do this to prevent identity theft.

Here's how it will work, in general: -You can do it online, by phone or by mail. Cost is $5 to freeze your credit report, per bureau. Your file will stay frozen until you tell the bureaus to lift the freeze. You'll need to do this if you're applying for credit - buying a house, taking out a loan, etc. Lenders can't approve your application if they can't see your credit report. That's the case when it's frozen. When you freeze your file, each credit bureau will give you a PIN to lift the freeze should you need to. So let's say you decide to apply for a car loan with XYZ bank. When you apply for the loan, you'll also give the bank your PIN. That way they can see your file. If you want to lift the freeze so that everybody can see your file, each credit bureau will do that for another $5. You can lift it permanently or temporarily, whichever you choose.

Instructions for freezing your credit report:

Technorati Tags: finance, scams, credit bureau, credit file, credit freeze, credit report, credit reporting agency, equifax, experian, identity theft, security freeze, transunion, moagoconsumer, consumer protection

Posted by Travis on April 8, 2008 12:00 am :: Comments (11) :: Permalink

11 Responses to "Freezing your credit report - here's how"

dan says:

January 21, 2008 9:24 pm

Thanks for requiring these companies to provide this service. The next step would be to require them to put this on page one of their web sites.

SHAWN says:

August 19, 2008 6:07 am

PLEASE SEND ME A MAILING ADDRESS SO I CAN FREEZE PEOPLE FROM PUTING THINGS ON MY CREDIT THAT ARE NEGATIVE

Denotes the author of this comment is employed by the Attorney General's Office

Travis says:

August 19, 2008 2:04 pm

To Shawn:

There is nothing you can do (security freeze included) that will keep accurate negative information from being added to your credit report.

Sharon says:

September 1, 2008 9:44 pm

Now if we could just stop credit bureaus from allowing companies to post the same debt six times by selling and re-selling to their subsidiaries and their collector friends.

Travis says:

September 2, 2008 9:10 am

To Sharon:

This should not be happening and is a violation of your rights. Dispute it with the credit bureaus, and if that doesn't work, file a consumer complaint with our office.

Andrea says:

September 13, 2008 9:20 pm

I read that I can report a company for reselling my debts to other companies causing it to have 6 or more negative collection marks on my credit. Is this really true that I can call and ask them to remove this? Or, what is it that I actually have to do. I have recently filed bankruptcy and these things are continuing to show up on my credit score. HELP!

Travis says:

September 15, 2008 10:17 am

To Andrea:

Unless I misunderstand, I think that's the way the system works. Bankruptcy gets you out of paying some debts, but it doesn't make things disappear from your credit report. Still, if you think something is not right, you can file a consumer complaint with our office.

Andrea says:

September 15, 2008 3:40 pm

I am sorry for not being much clearer. What I am trying to say is, I am receiving calls from companies who are saying they are collecting a debt on the behalf of a credit card that I put on my bankruptcy. I gave them the file number for the bankruptcy and everything. They say tell me that it was turned over to them and they are not covered by my bankruptcy. Can they do this and if so. Please send me a link or something where I can read the laws of bill collecting.

Travis says:

September 15, 2008 4:36 pm

To Andrea:

I would still recommend filing a consumer complaint with us using the link I gave before. Also, here is a summary of your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.