Do you want to freeze your credit for free? Here is how you can do it in no time at all! It is a simple process that lets you handle your payments and banking your way. So, let’s get started.
What is freezing a credit?
Freezing your credit works like putting a lock on your credit report. When you do this, credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion won’t let anyone open a new account or get a loan in your name. Thus, it acts as a major safety measure. It stops identity thieves before they can make a move like that to protect your identity and the data it holds.
The best part is that it is free and does not affect your current credit score. Yes, it is a big thing! Your existing accounts, like your active credit cards or student loans, will keep working just the way they were, as it doesn’t impact any of them. And if you change your mind or you ever need to apply for something or get something you need money for, the freeze can always be lifted.
Steps to freeze your credit for free
If you want to freeze your credit for free, here are the steps that you can follow.
- Firstly, gather your personal information before you start. You will need your Social Security number, birthdate, current address, and previous addresses if you have moved elsewhere recently.
- We have to go one by one. Start by Contacting Equifax. You can visit their website and look for the credit freeze section, or you can call their phone line. After that, you just create a secure account online so you can manage the freeze easily in the future.
- You have to contact Experian next. Just go to their official freeze page or call their customer service number. They will also guide you through verifying your identity and setting up a secure PIN or account password.
- And finally, Contact TransUnion last. Follow the same process on their website or over the phone as per your convenience. To ensure you do not lose the important information, write down and safely store all the usernames, passwords, or PINs you create during this process.
- Once all of this is done, your credit files are locked down. If you ever need to apply for a loan or a new card yourself, you just have to log back into these accounts and temporarily unfreeze them.
