Consumer Tips
Credit Agencies
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)
