Columbia, South Carolina
United States
Putting the FREEZE on IDentity TheftCredit Freeze - New ID Theft Bill Goes into Effect in January
It is Easy As 1-2-3 to Place a Freeze on Your Credit Weblinks and the Letter for Placing a Credit Freeze:
March 3 - Make sure that you DO NOT pay for a credit freeze. SC law stipulates that you can do this for free. You should not have to provide a credit card or bank account number for any freeze request.
Feb. 16 - It seems that the kinks and bugs are slowly working themselves out with the three reporting agencies. Again, if you need help, email us at scaarp@aarp.org
Jan 27 - If you experience any problems with the credit freeze or receive a letter from a credit reporting agency requesting that you send them money to place/lift a freeze - please contact AARP at scaarp@aarp.org
Jan. 21 - The three credit reporting agencies have updated their websites for the SC free credit freeze. Use these links to place or lift a freeze or to request a replacement PIN number:
Equifax -- 1-800-685-1111 : https://www.freeze.equifax.com
Experian -- 1-888-397-3742 : www.experian.com/ (scroll down to the bottom of the page - under the heading Notices click security freeze.
TransUnion -- 1-888-909-8872: www.transunion.com/ (scroll to the bottom of the page -under the heading Consumer Assistance click security freeze)
OR - You can print three copies of a letter at the following link and mail to the reporting agencies. The addresses are inlcuded at the bottom of the letter. Please note there is no requirement to include a utility bill:
assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/scfreezerequestletter.pdf (Print three copies for each individual)
Create Some Good - Why not print some extra copies and share with your neighbors, family, and friends? You could even help fill out the forms for folks who need a little extra help! It's free and takes just a few minutes to fill out and mail.
Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen?
Yes. You can have a security freeze lifted for a temporary period of time. Starting December 31, 2008, there is no fee. The steps to do so are as follows:
· Contact the consumer reporting agencies.
· The manner by which you contact them is determined by them, but it may be by way of telephone, fax or over the Internet or by mail.
· You must provide proper identification;
· You must provide your unique PIN or password;
· You must include during what time period your credit report will be accessible (for example August 1 to August 5,) or include which party you want the security freeze lifted.
How long does it take for a security freeze to be lifted?
Starting December 31, 2008, a consumer reporting agency must also temporarily lift a security freeze under reasonable circumstances within fifteen (15) minutes if the request is received via the electronic method selected by the agency.
What will a new 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 creditor who requests your file from one of the three consumer reporting agencies will only get a message or a code indicating that the file is frozen.
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 so long as they use the information for “other than credit related purposes.” 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 consumer reporting agencies?
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. Remember, there is no cost for placing or lifting a credit freeze.
If more than one person in my household wants to request a security freeze, do we each have to request a separate security freeze?
Yes. Because each person has an individual credit history and credit reporting file, each person must make a separate request to place, lift or remove a security freeze.
Will a freeze lower my credit score?
No.
Can an employer do a background check on my credit file?
Yes. There is an exemption for non-credit related use of your credit report.
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 of the offers, the ones that go through the consumer reporting agencies. It’s good for five years or you can make it permanent.
If I feel that I have been a victim of identity theft what should I do?
Contact your local law enforcement agency at once. Additional tips for protecting your identity beyond a credit freeze can be found here:
http://www.aarp.org/money/consumer/articles/WiseConsumerIdentityTheft.html
What law requires security freezes?
The South Carolina security freeze law is SC Code 37-20-160, passed in 2008.
HOW TO CONTACT THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta , GA 30348
1-800-685-1111
Trans Union Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton , CA 92834-6790
1-888-909-8872
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen , TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
TransUnion required the submission of two or three credit card numbers for account verification, this letter says no.
Thanks for the info. I live in SC, so my freeze was free. Equifax and Experian were easy, but Transunion tries to make you buy their package, even though I indicated all I wanted was the security freeze
I just froze my report with all three agencies on-line. All were pretty straightforward; however, Trans Union has the most extensive identity verification process and password protections
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