Call me at my phone number 12 before extending credit."Īn initial fraud alert lasts 90 days. If an imposter attempts to obtain credit in your name, the creditor will check your credit and will encounter a statement that says something to this effect: "I may be a victim of fraud. Learn more.Īn alert places a statement on your credit report. If eligible, you may receive free Equifax reports here: Most consumers are eligible for free credit monitoring and a free credit score from TransUnion. You may also be eligible for a free copy of your credit report for other reasons, including if you were denied credit or recently placed a fraud alert on your file. All consumers can obtain a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies, regardless of whether they have been identity theft victims. Creditors should contact you prior to opening a new account.Ĭan I receive copies of my credit reports without requesting a fraud alert or freeze? An alert does not block potential new credit, but places a comment on your history. A fraud alert is a less restrictive option and may help prevent fraud.Please note that a credit freeze will not stop a credit reporting agency from sharing your credit file for purposes that are not related to credit. Individuals can request that a freeze be temporarily lifted for the purpose of obtaining new credit. You, too, will not be able to open new credit while a freeze is in place. A security freeze means that your credit file cannot be shared with potential creditors.What is the difference between a fraud alert and a freeze? Which option is right for you will depend on your situation. Instructions are provided for obtaining a credit report security freeze, a fraud alert or a free copy of your credit report. Since September of 2018, a federal law has allowed people to freeze and unfreeze their credit without being charged.Several tools are available to help identity theft victims and potential victims in Washington. A written confirmation letter will be sent within ten business days that includes a personal identification number (PIN) to permit you to grant authorization to your credit report to a third party or for a specific period of time. You also can lift the freeze temporarily without a fee. If you make your request by mail, the agency must place or lift the freeze within three business days after it gets your request. If you request a lift of the freeze, the agency must lift it within one hour. If you request a freeze online or by phone, the agency must place the freeze within one business day. Include your full name, address, Social Security number, proof of address (such as phone or utility bill), photocopy of a government issued identification card (driver’s license or ID card, military ID, etc.) and payment. In order to put a security freeze notice on your credit report, you must write to each of the three credit rating agencies below, by certified letter or by another secure method the agency authorizes: HOW DO I PUT A SECURITY FREEZE ON MY CREDIT REPORT? A security freeze would also forbid credit rating agencies from releasing any information from the credit report without permission from the consumer. This can help protect the consumer from identity theft, even if someone has their name and Social Security number. The purpose of the security freeze is to prevent access to the credit report by anyone without authorization by the consumer. 05-148: An Act Requiring Consumer Credit Bureaus to Offer Security Freezes”( ) posted on the Connecticut General Assembly website and “Security Freeze Information” ( Consumers Union’s Guide To Security Freeze Protection () posted on the Consumers Union website.Įffective January 1, 2006, Connecticut residents can request that a “security freeze” be placed on their credit reports by a credit rating agency. The following is summarized from “Public Act No.
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