Identity Theft Information
SECURITY FREEZE INFORMATION
Effective July 1, 2008, any consumer in
Individuals who have not been victims of identity theft pay a fee of $10 per person, per consumer reporting agency, to place the freeze. The
To obtain more detailed information on how to place a security freeze on your credit reports, see below.
HOW TO “FREEZE” YOUR CREDIT FILES
A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors. A security freeze can help prevent new account identity theft. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without first checking a consumer’s credit history. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number probably would not be able to obtain credit in your name.
How do I place a security freeze?
To place a freeze, you must contact each of the three consumer reporting agencies by mail, or if the consumer reporting agency offers this channel, then you may choose phone, fax or Internet. Each consumer reporting agency may charge a $10 fee unless the fee is waived because you are an ID theft victim. To prove you are a victim (and to avoid the fees) you must send a copy of a police report covering the identity theft.
Write to all three addresses below and include the information that follows:
Website Address
Equifax Security Freeze www.equifax.com
Experian Security Freeze www.experian.com
TransUnion Security Freeze www.transunion.com
For each, you must:
- Send a letter or use another method such as phone or Internet if offered by the consumer reporting agency.
- If you are a victim of identity theft, you must include a copy of your police report.
- Provide your full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.), address, Social Security number and date of birth.
- If you have moved in the past five years, supply all the addresses where you have lived over the prior five years.
- Provide proof of current address such as a current utility bill or phone bill.
- Send a photocopy of a govenrment issued identification card (state driver's license or ID card, military identification, etc.).
- If you are not a victim, provide payment by check, money order or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover cards only).
How long does it take for the security freeze to be placed after I request it?
Starting one year after the effective date of the Virginia law, or July 1, 2009, the consumer reporting agency has one business day to place the freeze after receiving your request. The consumer reporting agency can take up to ten (10) business days to send you a confirmation with your unique PIN (personal identification number) or password to use when you want to temporarily lift the freeze. Keep this PIN or password in a safe place.
Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen?
Yes. You can have a security freeze lifted temporarily. The Virginia statute doesn’t say whether you can do this only for a specific period of time or also for a specific creditor. To temporarily lift your security freeze:
- Contact one or more consumer reporting agencies (the creditor may be able to tell you which CRA it uses).
- You may make your request by mail or, if the CRA has procedures for it, by phone, fax or Internet.
- Provide proper identification.
- Provide your PIN.
- State whether you want the report available to all for a specific period of time and, if so, give the length of time.
- If you want your credit reporting file to be available only to one specific creditor, also give the name of the creditor.
How long does it take for a security freeze to be lifted?
Consumer reporting agencies must lift a freeze no later than three (3) business days from receiving your request by mail and no more than 15 minutes after receiving your request by an electronic contact method chosen by the consumer reporting agency.
What will a creditor who requests my file see if it is frozen?
A creditor will see a message or a code indicating the file is frozen.
Can a new creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen?
No. A potential new creditor who requests your file after it is frozen will only get a message or a code indicating that the file is frozen. Your current creditors will still be able to check your file.
Can I order my own credit report if my file is frozen?
Yes.
Can anyone see my credit file if it is frozen?
When you have a security freeze on your credit file, certain entities still have access to it. For example, your report can still be released to your existing creditors or to collection agencies acting on their own behalf. They can use it to review or collect on your account. Government agencies may also have access in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena, or a search warrant.
Do I have to freeze my file with all three credit bureaus?
Yes. Different credit issuers may use different consumer reporting agencies. If you want to stop your credit file from being viewed, you must freeze it with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If you want to freeze your file for more than one person in the same household, each person must make their own request and pay a separate fee.
Will a freeze lower my credit score?
No.
Does freezing my file mean that I won’t receive pre-approved credit offers?
No. You can stop the pre-approved credit offers by calling 888-5OPTOUT
(888-567-8688). Or you can do this online at www.optoutprescreen.com. This will stop most offers that are made through the use of consumer reporting agencies.
What law requires security freezes?
The law on security freezes in Virginia goes into effect on July 1, 2008. The law authorizing the placement of a security freeze was passed as H 1311. Prior to this date, you can use the voluntary freeze programs of the three major consumer reporting agencies for a fee of $10 each with no fee for ID theft victims.
SOURCE: FinancialPrivacyNow.org