How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With All 3 Credit Bureaus

A credit freeze is an effective tool to protect your credit. Freezing your credit is beneficial and provides peace of mind as the threat of fraud and identity theft in Florida persists. Take these steps to protect your credit and contact a Florida credit report error victim attorney at Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. for legal guidance.

What Credit Freezes Are

Credit, or security freezes, allow you to protect your credit report by preventing access to your information by cyber criminals looking to open various fraudulent accounts in your name. Freezing your credit prevents a potential creditor from seeing the financial information about you that is necessary to approve a fraudulent account.

A credit freeze prevents scammers from using your credit to initiate identity theft and other unauthorized activity. Even with your personal information, a scammer cannot take advantage of your credit. Another benefit of using a credit freeze is that the process is free. There is also no negative impact on your credit score.

Information You Need to Freeze Your Credit

You will need essential personal information before beginning a credit freeze. The easiest way to freeze your credit is by going online to the three credit bureau sites. However, you may call or mail in your request to freeze your credit with the following information:

• Date of birth
• Physical and billing address
• Social security number

Calling in to freeze your credit will require you to answer authentication questions to verify your identity. These questions may ask about former addresses, vehicles you own or have owned, and other information that can confirm who you are. Have your driver’s license or passport and a bank statement, W2, 1099, or utility bill on hand if you plan to phone in the credit freeze.

Protecting Your Credit Report During Governmental Changes

As the government reshapes its operations, allowing new entities, such as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to access data overseen by the Treasury Department, a credit freeze may help ease concerns about the availability of sensitive information. Access to the Treasury Department data allows newer agencies to acquire information about the Social Security and Medicare payments you may receive. 

Freezing Your Credit

To freeze your credit with each institution, contact the three credit bureaus. Placing a freeze on your credit online or by phone requires the credit bureaus to take action within one business day. Mailing a credit freeze request requires action by the credit bureaus within three days of receiving your request. Sending a mailed request through certified mail allows you to track sensitive information and requires a signature of receipt.

Equifax

Contact Equifax to freeze your credit:

• Online: Equifax Security Freeze 
• Call: 888-378-4329
• Certified mail: Equifax Information Services LLC, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
• Security Freeze Adult Form
• Security Freeze Minor Form
• Security Freeze Incapacitated Adult Form

Experian

Contact Experian to initiate a credit freeze:

• Online: Experian Security Freeze
• Call: 888-397-3742
• Certified mail: Experian, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

Experian’s written requests should include your full name, social security number (SSN), addresses for the past two years, birthdate, a copy of a government-issued ID, and a copy of a utility or bank statement. 

TransUnion

Contact TransUnion to freeze your credit:

• Online: TransUnion Security Freeze
• Call: 800-916-8800
• Certified Mail: TransUnion, PO Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

The credit bureau credit freezes can help you freeze a family member’s credit, add or remove a spouse, and update a deceased relative’s information.

Unfreezing Your Credit With the Three Credit Bureaus

Each credit bureau’s website allows you to unfreeze or thaw your credit online by logging into your account. This option is the simplest way to make your credit report available to creditors. However, you can call or write to the addresses above to request a credit unfreeze. You will also need to verify your identity by answering questions when calling or providing identifying information through the mail.

Why Freeze Your Credit

Freezing your credit online is quick and costs you nothing. A credit freeze can help protect against the following:

• Identity theft
• Credit card fraud
• Online scams, like phishing attacks, that seek your personal information

Governmental agencies, banking institutions, and other businesses are often targets of data breaches. A freeze casts a safety net around your credit, allowing you to retain good credit standing and use it when making significant purchases. Our team of credit report and ID theft litigation attorneys in Florida can file a claim against any party whose negligence results in identity theft.

When to Freeze or Unfreeze Your Credit

Freeze your credit when you have no plans to take out a loan, make significant purchases using your credit, or open a credit card. Immediately freeze your credit if you think you are the victim of fraud, data breach, or other activity that compromises your personal information.

Applying for a new or extended line of credit, buying a home, renting an apartment, or making substantial purchases will require you to thaw your credit for a time. Remembering to unfreeze your credit is the most challenging task. However, thawing your credit is far less complex than correcting credit errors and identity theft that affect your credit score.

How Long Does a Credit Freeze Last?

A credit freeze stays in place until you initiate a credit thaw or unfreeze. Because of this, you have control over when your credit report and information become accessible. Freezing your credit does not eliminate access to your report. A credit freeze still permits the following:

• Personal access to your credit information and reports
• Creditors you currently owe can obtain your data
• New employers may review limited information
• Marketers may send you offers based on your credit report
• Some government agencies may access your report 

Credit freezes are a priceless tool to help Florida seniors protect against identity theft. However, you do not have to be in a vulnerable population to fall prey or be targeted by criminals. 

Combatting Credit Bureau Issues in Florida

The three credit bureaus are responsible for working with you to clear your credit report should it contain errors or if you are the victim of identity theft. Failure to do so can be costly to you. Contact a Florida identity theft attorney at Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. to discuss credit report errors or identity theft and learn more about your legal options in a free consultation.