(Consumers had complained after the breach that the PINs issued by Equifax were hard to keep track of and weren’t generated in a secure way.) Now, instead of issuing PINs, Equifax has consumers establish a password-protected online account. 19 in response to “consumer feedback,” said a spokeswoman, Nancy Bistritz-Balkan. You can start a credit freeze by going to each credit bureau (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) and following the steps to temporarily or permanently lift a credit freeze, also referred to as a security freeze. (PINs are still needed, though, if you want to lift a freeze by calling on the phone.)Įquifax, which suffered a major data breach last year, changed its approach on Sept. With the new law taking effect, two bureaus - Equifax and TransUnion - this month abandoned the use of personal identification numbers, or PINs, to manage freezes online. People who had already established security freezes, and now want to thaw them to apply for a loan or credit card, will see a difference. Consumer advocates recommend a freeze at all three bureaus as a way to thwart identity thieves.
Sign in to your myEquifax account - your one-stop shop for Equifax free services and credit monitoring products. Customer Care is available between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM ET, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM ET, Sat-Sun. Freezing means lenders can’t check your credit file unless you “thaw” the freeze, preventing criminals from opening credit cards or borrowing money in your name. For help or support, contact the Customer Care team at 1-888-EQUIFAX (1-88). 21, a new law requires that the three major credit reporting bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - allow consumers to place or lift a security freeze on their credit files without charge.
You may also call Experian to request a security freeze removal at 1-88 or by mail at the following address: Experian Security Freeze. People who froze their credit files before September may notice some changes when the time comes to thaw the files.Īs of Sept. Under a federal law effective September 21, 2018, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit record for free at the three nationwide credit reporting companies Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. The easiest way to remove a credit freeze is to visit Experian’s Freeze Center and request it there, with your PIN.