![]() ![]() As long as you continue to manage your finances responsibly (ex. Freezing or unfreezing your credit report does not impact your credit score. It has never been easier to unfreeze your credit report. At some point though, you will want to apply for credit. You want control of who can access your credit report – that is why you protected yourself with a freeze. According to an IPSOS survey sponsored by TransUnion, you are part of the 82% of Americans who hold themselves accountable for protecting their own data. “You took a proactive step in protecting your personal information by freezing your credit report. A freeze is primarily intended to stop new applications for new lines of credit. Freezing your report won’t prevent your information from being collected for credit or insurance offers for prescreen. Collection agencies representing lenders you have done business with and government agencies with the appropriate court or administrative orders may also access frozen accounts. However, they can only check to review your existing accounts, not to create new ones. However, companies you already have an account with may still check your credit report. Once you’ve frozen your TransUnion credit report, most other businesses can’t check your credit information. What Freezing Your TransUnion Credit Report Will Do ![]() There is no charge to do this, just the time and inconvenience of repeating your steps. So, you will need to repeat the steps you just took with Transunion to freeze your credit with the other two credit reporting bureaus. Even if you freeze your TransUnion report, creditors will still be able to access your credit report at Equifax and Experian. You should actively manage your credit freezes at all three major credit bureaus. You Need To Freeze all Three Credit Reporting Agencies Those who speak with a live agent will be able to choose a personalized PIN. Consumers who opt for the automated system will get a randomly generated PIN. To further verify your identity, you may have to answer additional questions as well. This includes full name, address, birthdate and Social Security number. You can choose to complete the process using an automated system or opt to speak with an agent. You can initiate a Transunion security freeze by calling TransUnion toll-free: 88. Once a freeze is in place, you will get a randomly generated PIN by return mail. TransUnion cautions that mail is the slowest way to freeze credit. This verification can be a copy of your driver’s license, passport, utility bills, etc. You will need to include your legal name, address, birthdate and Social Security number, along with copies of documents verifying your identification and address. To freeze your credit by mail, send your written request to TransUnion LLC, P.O. This is all to ensure that you are actually the one requesting the freeze. You will also likely be asked some questions about prior places of residence and credit accounts you may have or have had in the past. In order to freeze your credit, you will need to give each credit bureau information in order to prove your identity. ![]() The PIN is required to unfreeze your credit file if you want to do it by phone. If you do not choose your own PIN, one will be assigned to you anyway. ![]() Select this option to initiate your freeze and choose a PIN. You should see references to a free credit freeze when you sign up for your account. Be careful to sign up only for the free credit freeze, if that is what you are looking for. There are many monitoring products that can be purchased on the site. You will then be asked some identification questions, such as street numbers for past addresses, when credit accounts were established or approximate payment amounts on loans. To open an account, you need to provide your name, the last four digits or your Social Security number, your address and birthdate. However, it is not necessary to have a TransUnion account to place a security freeze by mail or by phone. You can download and use an app to do this if you prefer. You will have to set up an online account first to request your TransUnion credit freeze online. Here’s a step-by-step guide for freezing credit with TransUnion: All three bureaus allow you to do this online, by mail or by phone. The good news is that credit freezes and thaws are free. A credit freeze lift, or thaw also has to be done individually. A Credit freeze has to be set up individually with each credit bureau – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. ![]()
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