Every year it seems like we hear another story about how another major company has lost consumer information to another data breach. All of these individual instances of neglect culminated in the Equifax data breach of 2017 prompting Congress to act in order to protect consumers. One of the things they did was to require the three major credit reporting bureaus to provide easy access to the ability to freeze your credit (sometimes known as a security freeze). This security freeze is a valuable tool in keeping your information safe and is free for anyone to request. Below we have the steps you can take to request a credit freeze with TransUnion.
Freeze Your Credit Online
The most convenient way to freeze your credit is online at the TransUnion Website. This will require you to provide identifying information such as your social security number, full name, birthdate, etc. You will then be prompted to verify your identity further by answering a couple of questions regarding former addresses, past accounts, the establishment of credit lines, etc. After your identity is verified you should be allowed to place your credit freeze and set your PIN. Your PIN number will be important for when you want to unfreeze your credit so make sure to keep it safe!
Also, be wary of clicking on anything else while you are in the process of filling out your forms. TransUnion will offer credit monitoring services as well but it is important to note that requesting a credit freeze is completely free and you don’t need to purchase any supplemental products for it to take effect. Also, be sure to opt-out of their email list if you do not want to be bombarded by emails by them and their affiliates. It defaults as opt-in but that is not required to initiate your credit freeze.
Freeze Your Credit by Phone
Sometimes it’s better to speak to someone directly and, if that’s the case for you, you may want to try freezing your credit over the phone. You can do this by calling the TransUnion credit freeze number at 888-909-8872. From there, you will need to provide the same identifying information over the phone that you would have to provide with the online form (social security, name, birthday, etc.) and answer identifying questions to authenticate your identity. You will then receive your PIN by mail several days later.
Freeze Your Credit by Mail
For those who would like to use the postal service, this is also a valid way to request a security freeze (though TransUnion notes that this is generally the slowest method). You will need to send all your information to the address listed here:
TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
You will need to provide all the information needed to verify your identity as well as documentation verifying your address. This can be a copy of your lease, tax documents, govern
ment-issued identification, or anything else that verifies your address. After all the information has been sent in and verified, you will receive a randomly generated PIN in the mail.
After You Freeze Your Credit With TransUnion
Be sure to keep your PIN safe as you will need to unfreeze your credit with it if you ever want to open another credit line. It is also important to note that, to keep your information as safe as possible, you will also need to freeze your credit independently with Experion and Equifax as well. We’ve also provided step-by-step guides to doing that as well below!
How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian
How To Freeze Your Credit With Equifax