- Zach Pfeffer
Take 15 Minutes to Freeze Your Credit
This page lists the direct links to freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and reviews setting up a freeze at each: Equifax and Experian are easy, TransUnion is harder. It took me 15 minutes to freeze my credit, 7 of which were finding the links. I was able to freeze my credit for free at each firm.
Links to Freeze
Go to https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp to freeze it online.
Go to https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze to freeze it online.
Call (888) 909-8872 and press 3. Enter your social security number, date of birth and the numeric part of your street address. If you call you _do not_ have to open an account.
You can try: https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/securityFreeze/landingPage.jsp to freeze it online. I had to create an account to try and freeze it online.
Review
Equifax was the easiest.
I was able to find the link to freeze easily. At the the link I filled out a quick form online and got my pin.
Experian was second easiest.
I was able to find the link to freeze easily. At the link I filled out a quick form online. I was aksed to answer some questions to verify I was who I was. Then I got my pin.
TransUnion was the hardest.
I had to click through the "lock" they wanted to sell me before finding the freeze option. After finding it I had to create an account. After creating an account I needed to answer questions. One question was not relevant. TransUnion then asked me to call. I called and was able to set up the pin.
I would suggest calling TransUnion to freeze your account. Its easier then the online portal.
More Resources
I found this great link at Consumer Reports.
More Ways to Contact
To place, lift, or remove a security freeze from your credit report
Equifax
Online Equifax security freeze
Automated Service Line 800-685-1111
Automated Service Line - NY residents 800-349-9960
Hours 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. (ET) 7 days a week
Customer Care Phone 888-298-0045
Hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday
Mail Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
Experian
Call 888-397-3742
TransUnion
Online: Click here Phone: 888-909-8872 Mail: TransUnion LLC P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016
Copy of the Text You Get Once you Freeze
Equifax lists:
If you are unable to view your one-time PDF, please call 1-888-298-0045.
To make a security freeze request with the other national consumer credit reporting agencies, please contact Experian and TransUnion:
Experian, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 (888)397-3742
TransUnion, www.transunion.com, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 (888)909-8872
Thank you for giving Equifax the opportunity to assist you.
Equifax Information Services LLC
Experian Lists:
You must submit this number in order to temporarily or permanently remove the security freeze from your credit report. Print this page for your own records.
To permanently remove a security freeze or to temporarily remove a security freeze for a period of time in order to apply for credit or for any transaction that requires that another party access your personal credit report, visit experian.com/freeze or call 1 888 EXPERIAN (1 888 397 3742), then enter your identification information and PIN. You may also submit your request electronically at experian.com/upload or in writing to:
Experian
PO Box 9554
Allen, Texas, 75013.
To view state specific rights that might pertain to you, visit experian.com/consumer/help/report/fcra.html .
