You can also call our automated line at (800) 349-9960 or call Customer Care at (888) 298-0045. You can view the status of your security freeze, and also temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze through myEquifax. To place a security freeze on your Equifax credit report, create a myEquifax account. You’ll need to place a security freeze on your credit reports at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Security freezes must be placed separately at each of the three nationwide credit bureaus With a security freeze, your credit reports cannot be accessed (with some exceptions) to open new credit unless you temporarily lift or permanently remove the credit freeze. With a fraud alert, if anyone – including you! – tries to open a new credit account in your name or make changes to an existing account, the company must take reasonable steps to confirm your identity, such as contacting you by phone at a number you provide, before granting the request. Security freezes and fraud alerts are not the sameĪ fraud alert is a notice placed on your credit reports that alerts credit card companies and others who may extend you credit that you may have been a victim of fraud, including identity theft.
Security freezes are freeĪ federal law that went into effect in September 2018 made placing, temporarily lifting, or permanently removing a security freeze free nationwide. While you may know that, and may even have a security freeze on your credit reports, here are some facts you may not know about security freezes. Freezes will not impact your credit scoresĪ security freeze, also known as a credit freeze, is one way you can help protect your personal information against fraud or identity theft.Freezes must be placed separately at each nationwide credit bureau.Security freezes are now free under federal law.