You can call Experian to freeze your credit by calling Experian at 1888-397-3742 or you can also mail a request to Experian to freeze your credit at Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 and there is no feed to add or remove a credit freeze.
A credit freeze is a good idea if you're worried about someone opening new credit accounts or taking out loans in your name.
Placing a credit freeze on your credit is one of the best ways of helping to protect yourself from any new possible fraudulent credit applications or fraudulent loans.
It's free to put a credit freeze on your credit so it is worth it.
A credit freeze though does not protect your current accounts or social security number.
A credit freeze is still a good idea but it can give you a false sense of security as you may still be susceptible to credit fraud or other fraud involving your Social Security number.
A credit freeze won't affect your current accounts, but if a thief steals the information on an existing account, your credit may be used without your permission.
Although credit freezes can last for a long time.
Most states allow credit freezes to stay in place until you remove them, but other states allow credit freezes to expire after seven years.
During a credit freeze you can still build credit with a credit freeze.
The credit freeze doesn't affect your ability to use your current credit cards or other types of revolving credit.
But if you want to open new lines of credit, including new credit cards, you'll need to unfreeze your credit.
Placing a security freeze on your credit reports does not impact your credit scores in any way.
It also doesn't prevent you from getting free copies of your credit reports every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus through.
A credit freeze is a free service that stops new accounts from being opened, while a credit lock is a service from the credit bureaus that lets you lock and unlock your credit faster than a freeze.
Keep in mind that if you do plan to open up a new account/loan (mortgage, home equity line, credit card, auto, etc.), or apply for a new job, you'll need to unfreeze your credit.
If you need to remove the credit freeze, you may be charged a fee every time your freeze is lifted for a credit check.
If you make the request online or by phone to unfreeze your credit, the three major credit bureaus are required to lift the credit freeze within an hour.
The request to unfreeze your credit can be done by mail, but note that this is a longer process.
The credit bureaus, however, are required to remove the credit freeze within three business days of receiving notice.