[Info] How to freeze your credit

What: Credit freeze

Why: So anybody impersonating you cannot obtain credit cards and do any financial transactions if your credit is frozen/locked

How to Place a Credit Freeze:

1. Contact Each Credit Bureau: You’ll need to request a freeze from each of the three major credit reporting agencies:

Equifax:

• Online: Equifax Credit Freeze
• Phone: 800-349-9960
• Mail: Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348

Experian

• Online: Experian Credit Freeze
• Phone: 888-397-3742
• Mail: Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

• Online: TransUnion Credit Freeze
• Phone: 888-909-8872
• Mail: TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Innovis

• Online: Innovis Credit Freeze
• Phone: 800-540-2505
• Mail:
  • Innovis Consumer Assistance, P.O. Box 1640, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-1640

2. Provide Necessary Information: Be prepared to supply your full name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other personal details to verify your identity.

3. Receive Confirmation: After processing your request, each bureau will provide a confirmation, often including a PIN or password. Keep this information secure, as you’ll need it to lift the freeze in the future.

How to Lift a Credit Freeze:

• Temporarily or Permanently: You can lift the freeze temporarily for a specific period or permanently when you need to apply for new credit. Contact each credit bureau with your request and provide the PIN or password you received when placing the freeze.

• Processing Time: Requests made online or by phone are typically processed within an hour. Mail requests may take up to three business days after receipt.

Audio Summary:

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