Protect Yourself from Identity Theft by Freezing Your Equifax Credit Report

One crucial step to safeguard yourself against identity theft is by freezing your credit report. By doing so, credit bureaus will not release any information to companies seeking to access your data for credit or loan approvals. The best part is that freezing your credit report at Equifax is free of charge. Unfortunately, you must freeze your credit report separately at each credit bureau. Here's a guide on how to freeze your Equifax credit report:

Freezing Your Equifax Credit Report

When it comes to freezing your credit report with Equifax, you have three options to choose from:

<strong>Online:</strong> The quickest method is to freeze your credit report online through Equifax's website. You'll need to create a myEquifax account, providing essential personal information for identity verification.

<strong>By Phone:</strong> If you prefer not to create an online account, you can request a freeze by calling 888-298-0045. A one-time PIN will be sent to you via text message for verification.

<strong>By Mail:</strong> Download the necessary forms, complete them, and mail them to Equifax Information Services LLC. You can send them via certified mail for tracking purposes.

When freezing your credit, you'll need to provide documentation for identification and address verification. Equifax will process your request within one to three business days.

Freezing a Minor's Equifax Credit Report

Parents can freeze credit reports for children under 16 years old to prevent identity theft. Minors aged 16 or 17 can request their own security freeze. Equifax will create a credit file if the minor doesn't have one yet.

Lifting and Unfreezing Your Credit Report

When you need to apply for credit, you can temporarily lift the freeze on your Equifax credit report. This can be done online, by phone, or by mail. Remember that a fraud alert is different from a credit freeze and doesn't lock your credit report.

What Freezing Your Equifax Credit Report Won't Do

Although freezing your credit report provides protection, it does not safeguard against all types of fraud. It's essential to stay vigilant and proactive in monitoring your credit accounts and reporting any issues promptly.

If you encounter problems with your credit freeze at Equifax, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. Protecting your credit is crucial in today's digital age, so take the necessary steps to secure your financial information.