(Initially, signing up for the service limited your rights to sue. But when I tried again on Thursday, I received the same online message.ĭefeated, I decided to at least sign up for the credit monitoring service that Equifax is offering, TrustedID Premier. Later on Wednesday, the company issued a statement that said it was experiencing a high volume of freeze requests and that the system was offline for about an hour to address technical difficulties. An automated voice told me that all lines were busy and I was disconnected. So then I called the Equifax hotline to see if I could put set up a freeze over the phone. The thing is, I need to put a freeze in place at all three, including Equifax. This is the message I got when I tried to freeze my Experian credit report on Wednesday. Instead, the message provided contact information for the two other credit rating agencies - Transunion and Experian. Please try back later." There was no explanation, and no number to call. We cannot process your security freeze request online at this time. But then I got this message: "We're sorry. To put the freeze in place, I had to submit my name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address in an online form. Related: What's a credit freeze and should you do it? On Wednesday, I returned to the Equifax website to freeze my credit and finally sign up for the monitoring. I think the extra protection is worth the effort and potential hassle. But I'm not planning on opening a new loan or credit card anytime soon.
In New Jersey, where I live, it costs $5. The drawback is that it could get annoying when I want to open a new account myself, requiring me to contact the credit agency to temporarily lift the freeze - and it could cost a small fee depending on your state. "The only way to prevent new account identity theft is through a freeze," said Mike Litt, consumer program advocate with U.S. It blocks businesses from accessing my report, as long as I don't already have an account with them.
consumers on until December 31, 2026. These reports are included in the free weekly Equifax credit reports currently offered on through April 2021.After talking to experts, I decided that I should put a freeze on my credit reports as well. In connection with various settlements, Equifax is making at least six additional free Equifax credit reports each year available online to U.S. To opt out of such pre-approved offers, visit Entities that may still have access to your Equifax credit report include: companies like Equifax Consumer Services LLC, which provide you with access to your credit report or credit score, or monitor your credit report as part of a subscription or similar service companies that provide you with a copy of your credit report or credit score, upon your request federal, state and local government agencies and courts in certain circumstances companies using the information in connection with the underwriting of insurance, or for employment, tenant or background screening purposes companies that have a current account or relationship with you, and collection agencies acting on behalf of those whom you owe companies that authenticate a consumer's identity for purposes other than granting credit, or for investigating or preventing actual or potential fraud and companies that wish to make pre-approved offers of credit or insurance to you.
Freezing your Equifax credit report will not prevent access to your credit report at any other credit reporting agency.
Placing a security freeze on your Equifax credit report will prevent access to it by certain third parties.