![]() You can create an account and manage your credit report and freezes at. ![]() Next, press 1 and you will be directed to an Experian representative.Įxperian also provides service via their website.Next, press 1 again for “questions about your credit report.”.Next, press 1 for “questions about your credit report”.When prompted, choose option 2 for general questions about your credit.The first question the automated system will ask you for your social security number.How do you speak to a live person at Experian? Any letters or notices the Experian has sent you.To obtain your credit reports from all three credit bureaus, go to.A copy of your credit report and any specific details you would like to discuss on the call.Your Experian Security Freeze PIN Number.Make sure you’re preparedīefore you call, make sure you have all of the information that you need. Monday thru Friday in your respective time zone. When to callĮxperian representatives are available from 9 a.m. Over the years I’ve had to call Experian more than a handful of times to unfreeze my credit, and I’d love to teach you how I have been able to talk to a real human at Experian without waiting on hold forever. While Experian staff are always helpful, there just don’t seem to be enough of them. I’m going to guess it wasn’t a pleasant experience. The three credit bureaus will also continue to have access to your credit reports as well as government agencies.Ĭompanies that you already have a credit relationship with, and the collection agencies that they employ, will continue to have access to your credit when you freeze your credit.Ever tried to call Experian about your credit report or managing a freeze? First and foremost, freezing your credit will not prevent you from accessing your own credit reports, which you can get every week until the end of 2023. There are still several parties that can access your credit reports after you’ve placed a freeze on them. Who can see my credit report after a credit freeze? However, you do need to contact each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to place the freeze, and you must contact them again when you want to lift it, even temporarily. Does freezing your credit hurt your credit?Ī credit freeze doesn’t damage your credit and you can lift it when you need a credit check, like when you’re applying for a loan or opening a credit card. You will have to provide various documents to prove your identity. Unless you are under 16, in which case your parent or legal guardian can freeze your credit on your behalf, you are the only one who can freeze your credit. That said, some of these credit locks also come with identity theft insurance, usually up to $1 million. The main difference between the two is cost: credit freezes are free while credit locks may cost you money depending on the bureau. ![]() Credit freezes and credit locks have similar functions in that they restrict who can access your credit report. Credit freeze frequently asked questions (FAQ) What is the difference between a credit freeze and credit lock?Ī credit lock is a service that credit bureaus offer separate from what they’re legally required to by the federal government. While the free services usually offer rudimentary credit monitoring, only notifying you of any changes to your credit report, the paid services can also offer comprehensive identity protection such as social media monitoring and protection of other financial accounts including banking and investments. Subscribing to a credit monitoring service allows you to keep tabs on your credit without making any changes to your credit. You can look into extended fraud alerts, though they are only available to people who have reported an instance of identity theft through or have already been a victim of identity theft. If you request a credit freeze or lift of a credit freeze by mail, then the credit agency must place or lift the credit freeze no later than three (3) business days after getting your request. A fraud alert lasts a year before you have to renew it. a lift of the credit freeze online or by phone, then the cr edit reporting agency must lift the freeze within one (1) hour. Once you place a fraud alert through one of the credit bureaus, that bureau is required to inform the other bureaus. You can place fraud alerts on your credit, which will require lenders to take reasonable steps to confirm your identity before extending lines of credit. However, there are additional tools you can deploy to protect your credit. Alternatives to credit freezeīecause it’s free, a credit freeze is a great option for protecting your credit. If you can’t find out which bureau they’re using, you will have to lift the freeze on all three bureaus. Quick tip: If you’re applying for credit, try asking your lender which bureau they will be using. ![]() There is no charge to lift the credit freeze. If you make your request by mail, the credit bureau must lift the freeze within three business days after it gets your request. ![]() If you request a lift of the freeze, the credit bureau must lift it within one hour, according to the Federal Trade Commission. ![]()
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