How Long Does Credit Freeze Last

Home > Consumer Information > Personal Finance > Credit Awareness/ID Theft > How to Freeze Your Credit Files

How to "Freeze" Your Credit Files

If yous alive in New Bailiwick of jersey, you have the right to put a "security freeze" on your credit file. A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors.

About businesses will not open up credit accounts without checking a consumer's credit history first. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your proper noun and Social Security number would probably not be able to get credit in your name.

A security freeze tin can assist prevent identity theft. If you believe that y'all are the victim of identity theft, delight contact your local law enforcement agency and file a police report with them. (More than data...)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How practice I place a security freeze? Answer

2. Tin can I open up new credit accounts if my files are frozen? Answer

three. What is the divergence betwixt a fraud alert and a freeze? Reply

4. How long does it accept for a security freeze to exist in effect? Respond

5. How long does information technology take for a security freeze to exist lifted? Reply

vi. What will a creditor who requests my file encounter if it is frozen? Answer

seven. Tin a creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen? Reply

eight. Can I order my ain credit written report if my file is frozen? Respond

ix. Can anyone encounter my credit file if it is frozen? Reply

x. Practise I have to freeze my file with all three credit reporting agencies? Respond

11. Will a freeze lower my credit score? Respond

12. Can an employer exercise a background check on me if I accept a freeze on my credit file? Answer

xiii. Does freezing my file mean that I won't receive pre-approved credit offers? Respond

fourteen. Does freezing my file automatically freeze my spouse's file? Reply

i. How do I place a security freeze?

To place a freeze, you lot must write to each of the three credit reporting agencies. You must provide identifying information. If you are an identity theft victim, provide a copy of your police report of identity theft. Placing a security freeze on your credit written report is complimentary.

Write to the addresses below:

Equifax Security Freeze
PO Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348

Transport by certified mail.
Name, electric current and former address, Social Security number, appointment of birth

Web site

Experian Security Freeze
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

Send past certified mail.
Full name, with middle initial and Jr./Sr., etc.
Current address and abode addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth engagement, ii proofs of residence (copy of driver's license, utility neb, insurance statement, banking company statement)

Spider web site

Trans Union Security Freeze
PO Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

Ship by regular or certified mail.
Offset name, eye initial, final name, Jr., etc.
Current home address and addresses for past v years, Social Security number, birth date

Web site

2. Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen?

Yes. If yous want to open up a new credit account or get a new loan, you tin can lift the freeze on your credit file. You can lift it for a period of fourth dimension or you can lift information technology for a specific creditor. After you lot send your letter request for the freeze, each of the credit reporting agencies volition ship you a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

You will also go instructions on how to lift the freeze. You tin lift the freeze by overnight mail or secure electronic mail, using your PIN. The credit reporting agencies must lift your freeze within 3 business days. The fee for lifting the freeze temporarily is no more than $five for a date-range elevator and no more than than $5 for a lift for a specific creditor.

iii. What is the difference between a fraud alert and a freeze?

A fraud alert is a special message on the report that a credit issuer receives when checking a consumer'due south credit rating. It tells the credit issuer that there may be fraud involved in the account. A fraud warning can help protect you against identity theft. A fraud alert tin also slow downwardly your power to get new credit. It should not stop you from using your existing credit cards or other accounts.

A security freezeastward ways that your credit file cannot be shared with potential creditors, insurance companies or employers doing background checks. Near businesses will not open up credit accounts without checking a consumer'southward credit history beginning.

4. How long does it accept for a security freeze to be in issue?

Credit reporting agencies must place the freeze no later than five business days after receiving your written request.

v. How long does information technology accept for a security freeze to be lifted?

Credit reporting agencies must elevator a freeze no later than iii business concern days of receiving your request.

6. What will a creditor who requests my file see if it is frozen?

A creditor will see a message or a lawmaking indicating that the file is frozen.

7. Can a creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen?

No. A creditor who requests your file from one of the three credit reporting agencies will simply become a message or a lawmaking indicating that the file is frozen.

eight. Can I order my own credit report if my file is frozen?

Yes.

9. Can anyone meet my credit file if it is frozen?

When you have a security freeze on your credit file, certain entities still accept access to it. Your report tin nonetheless be released to your existing creditors or to collection agencies acting on their behalf. They can utilize it to review or collect on your account. Other creditors may also use your data to make offers of credit-unless you opt out of receiving such offers. (How to opt out of pre-approved credit offers...)

Authorities agencies may have access for collecting child support payments or taxes or for investigating fraud. Government agencies may too have access in response to a courtroom or administrative order, a subpoena, or a search warrant.

10. Practise I accept to freeze my file with all iii credit reporting agencies?

No, but different credit issuers may use dissimilar credit reporting agencies. Therefore, if you want to end your credit file from being viewed, you need to freeze information technology with all three credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.

eleven. Volition a freeze lower my credit score?

No.

12. Tin an employer do a background check on me if I accept a freeze on my credit file?

No. You would have to lift the freeze to allow a background cheque or to apply for insurance, just as you would to apply for credit.

13. Does freezing my file mean that I won't receive pre-approved credit offers?

No. You can stop pre-approved credit offers by contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-888-v-OPT-OUT or online at world wide web.optoutprescreen.com. This will end virtually of the offers that go through the credit reporting agencies. It is proficient for 5 years or you lot can get in permanent.

14. Does freezing my file automatically freeze my spouse'due south file?

No. Both spouses have to freeze their separate credit files, via split letters requesting the freeze.



	OPRA is a state law that was enacted to requite the public greater access to government records maintained by public agencies in New Jersey.			You will demand to download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to correctly view and print PDF (Portable Document Format) files from this web site.