tnConnect wants to protect you and your finances from identity theft. Stop criminals from opening fictitious accounts in your name with a credit freeze.
Not so long ago, a credit freeze was a tool usually reserved for victims of identity theft. But as data breaches have piled up, the freeze has become more widely recognized as the most effective way to protect your credit, even if a thief hasn’t yet made fraudulent use of your personal information.
The reason: When you place a credit freeze (also known as a security freeze) on your credit reports, new creditors can’t review them to judge whether you’re eligible for a credit card or loan – and in turn, lenders are unlikely to grant credit to fraudsters posing as you. When you need to shop for credit, you can temporarily lift the freeze.
Do I have to pay? Nope. Placing and lifting a freeze is free at each of the major credit agencies, thanks to federal law. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1 – Contact each of the credit agencies. The webpages or phone numbers below are the quickest avenues to imposing a freeze. To submit your request by mail, use these addresses.
Freeze your credit with Equifax
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348
888-298-0045
(Fill out and submit this form to request a freeze by mail.)
Freeze your credit with Experian
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742
Freeze your credit with TransUnion
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
888-909-8872
Step 2 – Save your pins and passwords. Write down the PINs and online accounts passwords, and keep them in a safe place at home. When you’re ready to shop for a loan or lift the freeze for any other reason, you can call the phone numbers or visit the above websites.