Credit Freeze

A credit freeze is a service that credit-reporting agencies are required to provide by law in some states. California was the first state to require such service of credit reporting agencies. This service allows consumers to stop the credit reporting agencies to share consumer credit information with third parties without their written consent.

Typically, you can place a credit freeze, in writing, with any of the credit reporting agencies to stop the agency from sharing your credit file with third parties without your authorization except with those for which you contacted the credit reporting agencies to temporarily lift the security freeze or those which are exempt by law. Your initial freeze request may take up to five business days to be activated and confirmed by the agencies in writing. This service is neither free nor available in all States as of the writing of this article. Some states are either considering or have adopted credit freeze laws which require credit reporting agencies to provide the service with or without a fee; both to activate and remove a security freeze.

A freeze will remain on your credit file until you contact the agency and request to lift the freeze. As I mentioned, you may temporarily lift a security freeze for a period of time or for certain credit grantors by contacting the credit reporting agency, but that may take up to 3 business days and you may not be able to do that during non-business hours or weekends. The initial identification number provided to you by the agencies may be required to lift a freeze, therefore for a speedy and authorized lift of the freeze, make sure you keep that number in a safe location only known to you. A report freeze is not for every one. Those who rarely apply for credit can greatly benefit from this service to prevent credit identity theft without the additional hassle of unfreezing their credit report each time they want to apply for a new or increased credit, however, if you apply for credit on a regular basis, you need be reconsider placing such security freeze on your file or become extremely organized and plan ahead to allow sufficient time for temporary lifting of the credit freeze before you apply for credit.

If you request a copy of your own credit report or if a service provider to which you have subscribed to monitor and/or provide you with a copy of your credit report on a periodic basis makes a request for a copy of your credit report, the credit reporting agencies are required to process that request even if a freeze is placed on your credit report.

As I mentioned, the costs and methods for placing and lifting permanent or temporary freeze on your credit reports varies from State to State in the United States. For example, if you're married, both spouses have to freeze their reports at all 3 credit reporting agencies if you live in California.

For up to date State credit freeze laws, visit the Consumers Union site.

Credit Freeze Procedures & Contact Information per Agency