How do I add a credit freeze?

To place a freeze, you must write to one of the three credit bureaus listed below. You must provide identifying information and proof that you are a victim of identity theft. A copy of your police report, investigative report or a complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft. You must also include a fee of $8 (which is adjusted yearly based on the CPI, Consumers Price Index, for inflation.). Write to one of the 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

You must:

• Send a letter by certified mail
• 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.)
• Provide payment by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover cards only.)

How much will it cost?

No fees for ID theft victims with valid report/complaint with law enforcement agency. For others, $10 to place, remove, or temporarily suspend. $12 to temporarily suspend for one specific creditor.

Background on Credit Freeze

If you are a resident of Texas, you have had the right as of September 1, 2003 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. If you are a resident of Texas and not a victim, you have the right as of September 1, 2007 to place a credit freeze. 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.