#Lift equifax security freeze how to#

For more about these materials, visit the “Credit Freeze” page of the Consumer Action website. The brochure and this Q&A are free for individuals, community-based organizations and others who provide consumer education. This publication is a companion to the multilingual consumer brochure “Freeze Your Credit File,” available in Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese.

#Lift equifax security freeze how to#

This 'Security Freeze Backgrounder' can help answer some questions about what a security freeze is and how it works, who should consider a security freeze, and how to place, lift and remove a freeze. A credit file security freeze is a protective measure that is available to all U.S. These precautions include leaving their Social Security card at home, shredding documents that contain SSNs or other personal information, and “freezing” their credit reports.

Many consumers take steps to protect themselves from identity thieves. The crooks can get other people’s personal information by stealing a wallet, searching the trash or hacking into a database. Often, a Social Security number (SSN) is all a thief needs to open credit accounts fraudulently.

Each year, there are many, many cases where crooks illegally obtain new credit using other people’s names and credit histories. Using credit, we can avoid carrying large amounts of cash, shop more safely online, finance an education, start a business and buy a car or home.Ĭrooks and scammers see the value in credit, too-especially credit in other people’s names.

Credit can be a convenience and a money management tool.