Consumer Tips

Equifax            800-685-1111
Experian          888-397-3742
Transunion      888-909-8872

Fraud Alert vs Credit Freeze

Fraud Alert

• Makes vendors verify your identity before granting a new credit in your name
• Free
• Available to anyone who is or suspects they may be affected by identity theft
• Last one year
• To activate contact one of the three credit bureaus.  That bureau must tell the other two

Credit Freeze

• Restricts access to your credit report to help prevent identity theft.  (Usually you'll need a PIN or password to life the freeze. Do not lose it!) 
• Free
• Available to anyone
• Lasts until you lift it
• To place or lift: Contact all three credit bureaus.  (if you know which bureau a lender will use, you can lift for only that one)