#Transunion credit freeze for free#
#Transunion credit freeze free#

It’s important to remain vigilant when it comes to your identity. (Previously, they expired after 90 days.) Under the new law, fraud alerts will remain on your credit reports for one year. This usually means that they’ll reach out via your phone number. It simply notifies any lenders that you may be the victim of identity theft, and that they should contact you prior to opening an account in your name. Unlike a credit freeze, a fraud alert doesn’t prohibit lenders from obtaining your credit reports.

#Transunion credit freeze free#

All three credit bureaus offer free fraud alerts on your accounts.

#Transunion credit freeze for free#

Once the new law goes into effect, you can also request that Experian and TransUnion freeze your credit for free as well! If you want to take some measures prior to September, consider these options: The major credit bureaus often charge a monthly fee to provide credit locking services. Remember that if you find that you need to lift your credit freeze, you will have to contact all three bureaus again.Ī credit freeze is just one way to protect your identity. TransUnion: Call 88 or visit the TransUnion website.Experian: Call 888‑397‑3742 or visit the Experian website.Equifax: Call 80 or visit the Equifax website.Once the law goes into effect in September, you will need to contact each of the credit bureaus: It’s important to keep track of your PINs, otherwise it may take multiple business days before your credit can be “thawed” while the agency verifies your identity. That also means that you can’t apply for new lines of credit yourself, unless you lift the freeze using the personal identification number (PIN) you receive with each credit bureau. The freeze does not impact your credit score. Placing a freeze on your credit means that no one can access your information to fraudulently open a new account in your name.

This new law will help you keep your peace of mind without worrying about costs.Ī credit freeze is a powerful tool that greatly reduces the risk of identity theft. While Equifax has offered free credit freezes since its security breach in 2017, the other two agencies have not. This has to be done with each credit agency.

Under the new law, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion will not only be required to let consumers freeze and “thaw” their credit files free of charge, but also implement procedures that make it easier for consumers to do that.Ĭurrent credit freezes cost around $10 (both to freeze and unfreeze your files) if you are not a victim of identity theft. Starting in September of this year, the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – will be required to let you both freeze and “thaw” your credit file for free as a result of a new bill passed by the Senate in May 2018.