Cybersecurity Tip of the Week – How to Freeze Your Credit

Freezing your credit is a crucial step to protect yourself from identity theft and unauthorized access to your credit report. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Steps to Freeze Your Credit

1. Gather Necessary Information
   • Full Name
   • Social Security Number
   • Date of Birth
   • Address History
   • Copies of Identification (Driver's License, Passport)
   • Proof of Address (Utility Bill, Bank Statement)
2. Contact Each Credit Bureau

   You will need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually to place a freeze on your credit.

How to Contact the Bureaus

Equifax

• Online: Equifax Credit Freeze
• Phone: 1-800-349-9960
• Mail: Send a request including all necessary information to:
  • Equifax Security Freeze 2P.O. Box 105788 3Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

Experian

• Online: Experian Credit Freeze
• Phone: 1-888-397-3742
• Mail: Send a request including all necessary information to:
  • Experian Security Freeze 2P.O. Box 9554 3Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

• Online: TransUnion Credit Freeze
• Phone: 1-888-909-8872
• Mail: Send a request including all necessary information to:
  • TransUnion LLC 2P.O. Box 2000 3Chester, PA 19016

1. Follow Instructions Provided by Each Bureau
   • Each bureau will provide specific instructions for completing the freeze.
   • You may be required to create an account or PIN for future access.
2. Confirmation of Credit Freeze
   • After processing your request, each bureau will send you confirmation that your credit has been frozen.
   • Keep these confirmations and any PINs or passwords in a safe place; you'll need them if you want to unfreeze your credit later.

Important Notes

• A credit freeze does not affect your credit score.
• It prevents new creditors from accessing your report but does not prevent you from obtaining your free annual credit report.
• If you need to apply for new credit or allow an entity temporary access, you can temporarily lift the freeze using the provided PIN or password.

By following these steps, you can effectively freeze your credit and add an extra layer of protection against identity theft and fraud.

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