Due to increased fraud and cyber security breaches, many consumers “freeze” their credit to prevent someone posing as them opening new credit in their name fraudulently.  But often times, getting your credit frozen was the easy step!

To “thaw” or unfreeze your credit, you must contact each of the credit bureaus directly either by mail, phone or online and obtain a PIN.  Equifax requires a 4-character PIN, TransUnion requires a 8-character PIN and Experian a 15-character PIN.

Regardless of the method chosen to unfreeze your credit, whether mail, phone or on-line, the basic information needed is the same:

• Your complete name including any suffice (i.e. JR, SR, I, II, etc.)
• Complete address
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Proof of identity, such as a valid driver’s license, birth certificate, Social Security card, passport, state or military ID, etc.
• Proof of address, such as a valid driver’s license, utility or cell phone bill, bank or mortgage statement, pay stub, etc.
• Payment, if required – fees vary by state so refer to each credit bureau’s state-specific requirements below.

Equifax
https://help.equifax.com/s/article/what-are-the-security-freeze-fees-in-my-state

Experian
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/preventing-fraud/security-freeze/

TransUnion
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze/credit-freeze-information-by-state

To unfreeze your credit file either permanently or temporarily, you must contact each credit bureau directly.  Be sure to have your PIN for each bureau with you at the time of contact.

EQUIFAX
On-line:        https://www.freeze.equifax.com
Phone:         800-349-9960
Mail:            PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348

EXPERIAN
On-line:        https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
Phone:         888-397-3742
Mail:            PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

TRANSUNION

On-line:        https://freeze.transunion.com/
Phone:         888-909-8872
Mail:            Complete the “lift” section of the Security Freeze Form that was sent to you with the Security Freeze information letter (sent to you after you requested the security freeze) and mail it to the address shown at the bottom of the form.  When selecting the start date, be sure to allow mail delivery time for your request to lift the Security Freeze by mail.  It may take longer if you have lost the Security Freeze PIN.

Questions? Give me a call, 360-459-1200!

#mortgagesbymichelle #practicaltipstuesday