How do I add a credit freeze?

To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit bureaus. Credit bureaus charge a $10 fee, unless you are a victim who sends a copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft. Write to all three addresses below and include the information that follows:

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

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

Trans Union Security Freeze P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

For each, you must:

• Send a letter by certified mail
• If you are a victim of identity theft, include a copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft
• Provide your full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.,) address, Social Security number, and date of birth
• If you have moved in the past 5 years, supply the addresses where you have lived over the prior 5 years
• Provide proof of current address such as a current utility bill or phone bill
• Send a photocopy of a government issued identification card (state driver's license or ID card, military identification, etc.)
• If you are not a victim, include payment by check, money order or credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover cards only.)
  

How much will it cost?

No fees on ID theft victims who provide a police report. Others pay up to $10 to place, remove, temporarily suspend, or have PIN reissued, and $12 to lift for a specific creditor.

Background on Credit Freeze

If you are a resident of Maine, you have had the right as of Feb. 1, 2006 to place a credit freeze on your credit report if you are a victim of identity theft who has filed a police, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft. A Credit Freeze will prevent access to your credit report, allowing you to control which companies may see your credit report. However, there are certain exemptions to the Credit Freeze allowed by state law that allows companies to view your report even though it is frozen.