A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. If you suspect your personal information or identity was stolen, placing a credit freeze can help protect you from fraud.
You can also place a freeze on your ChexSystems report to help prevent fraudulent bank accounts from being opened in your name.
Credit Freezes
What is a credit freeze?
When you place a security freeze, creditors cannot access your credit report. This will keep them from approving any new credit account in your name, whether it is fraudulent or legitimate.
To let lenders and other companies access your credit files again to create new accounts, you will need to lift your credit freeze permanently or temporarily.
Place or lift a credit freeze
Freeze or lift the freeze on your credit report for free by contacting each of the three major credit reporting agencies:
- Equifax - https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-lift-remove-security-freeze
- Experian - https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/preventing-fraud/security-freeze/
- TransUnion - https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze/credit-freeze-faq
You can submit your request online, by phone, or by mail.
How long do freeze requests take?
Freeze requests:
- Online or by phone: agencies must freeze your credit report within one business day
- By mail: agencies must freeze your credit report within three business days
Unfreeze requests:
- Online or by phone: agencies must lift the freeze within one hour
- By mail: agencies must lift the freeze within three business days
Information courtesy of: https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze
Updated October 2024
Chexsystems Freezes
What is a ChexSystems Security freeze?
When you place a security freeze with ChexSystems, credit unions, banks and other financial institutions cannot access your ChexSystems report. This report is often used to qualify applicants for new bank accounts, and a security freeze can help stop fraudsters from using your info to obtain bank accounts.
If you're looking to open an account somewhere, you will need to contact ChexSystems to get them to lift the freeze permanently or temporarily.
Place or lift a Chexsystems Freeze
You will need to contact ChexSystems directly in order to place or lift a secuirty freeze: https://www.chexsystems.com/security-freeze/information
You can submit your request online, by phone, or by mail.
Information courtesy of: https://www.chexsystems.com/
Updated October 2024
