October 28, 2009, 4:49 pm
Since the end of 2006, you have the ability to place what is called a “Security Freeze” on your credit file. This will prevent the Consumer Credit Reporting Agency (Credit Bureau) from releasing any information contained in your file. This measure is designed to prevent criminals from applying for credit in your name, claiming to be you.
I can’t say enough about this technique, many people have no idea that this can be done, but it can. What happens is that you send a request letter to the credit bureau, all three is the most effective, and they will activate your freeze and issue you a PIN number for you to use when you want to cancel the freeze or release the freeze for a specific creditor (such as a mortgage lender).
When releasing or cancelling the freeze, you and/or the creditor will need the following items to execute the release successfully:
- The supplied PIN number issued to you when you placed the freeze
- Identification to verify your identity
- Complete info on the company that you want info released to
- Payment of any fees associated with the release or cancel (not much)
Keep in mind, placing this freeze on your file could slow down any credit approvals you legitimately apply for. The best thing to do is plan in advance, don’t just apply for credit and expect the freeze to be instantly lifted off. It takes a little time. These are all good things for you, they are all measures that the credit bureaus use to lower the chances of identity theft.
For a sample security freeze request letter, just look in the Sample Letters page on this site. There is a copy there for you to use.
Tags:
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consumer credit reporting agency,
credit,
credit approvals,
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file,
Freeze,
mortgage lender,
PIN,
request letter,
Sample Letters,
Security Category:
Identity Theft |
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October 28, 2008, 4:51 pm
To request that a security freeze be placed on your credit file, please use the following letter as a template for your communication with the credit bureau:
| Security Freeze Request Letter |
| To request a freeze from all three credit reporting bureaus, you must send a separate letter to each bureau. Check the appropriate box for each letter: |
□ Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348 |
□ Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 |
□ TransUnion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 |
| To Whom It May Concern: |
| I would like to place a security freeze on my credit file. My current full name and mailing address, date of birth, and social security number are as follows: (Also list after it any addresses you had previously over the last 5 years) |
Joseph Somebody
123 Somewhere Street
Somewhere, NY 11234 |
SS #: 123-45-5678 |
Date of Birth : 12/22/1971 |
| As proof of my identity and residence, I am enclosing the following items of proof: (e.g. Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID Card, College ID, Utility Bill, Bank Statements etc.) |
NYS Driver’s License ID #34567812
U.S. Passport ID #1234567
Military Identification Card |
| CHOOSE ONE OF THESE TO INCLUDE IN YOUR REAL LETTER |
Payment Info |
| [OPTION 1] I am an identity theft victim and a copy of my police report of identity theft is enclosed. Therefore, there will be no cost to me for the security freeze. |
| [OPTION 2] I have enclosed a check or will pay the [check CB for fee amt] fee for placing the security freeze by credit card. [TransUnion requires payment by credit card] {MasterCard # 5466123456789876 Exp. Date 10/13 CVV# 456} |
| Respectfully Yours, |
| Signature: _________________________ |
Date: _______ |
|
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Tags:
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Allen,
Atlanta,
Bill,
card,
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date,
Freeze,
fullerton ca,
Joseph Somebody,
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NY,
P.O. Box 105788,
P.O. Box 6790,
P.O. Box 9554,
passport id,
Security,
social security number,
theft victim,
U.S. Category:
Identity Theft,
Sample Letters |
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