How to Freeze People From Pulling My Credit Report

Too many inquiries about your credit reports could drop your credit score several points. Your credit score affects your ability to get loans and the interest rates you pay on those loans. You can effectively prevent people from pulling your credit reports by contacting the three major credit rating bureaus. Freezing your credit reports will prevent others from looking at your credit history and credit score and using that information for fraudulent purposes, but it also will prevent you from obtaining credit cards or loans.

Instructions

1

Research your state laws to find out whether you can freeze your report. Each state has its own requirements and fees payable to the credit bureaus.

2

Gather your personal information, including a list of your addresses for the past five years, your Social Security number, proof of your current address and a photocopy of ID such as a driver's license or birth certificate. Make three copies of all documents.

3

Write a cover letter to each credit bureau stating that you would like to freeze your credit report.

4

Place a cover letter, a copy of your documents and a money order (if state law requires a fee) in each of 3 manila envelopes.

5

Mail each packet, posted certified mail, to the following addresses:

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX
75013

Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA
30348

TransUnion, Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA
92834

6

Allow 30 days to receive confirmation from the credit bureaus that they have frozen your credit reports. You also should receive a unique personal identification number (PIN) that you will need when you wish to unfreeze your reports.