Freezing Credit Report

All consumers will soon be able to freeze their credit reports to help prevent identity theft. A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without first checking a consumer's credit history. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number would probably not be able to get credit in your name.

Previously, the three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, Transunion, Experian -- generally extended this privilege only to identity theft victims and residents of states that required it by law. Transunion will be the first to offer security freezes nationwide starting on October 15 and Equifax said it would offer freezes by the end of this month. Experian announced this week that it will make the freeze available to all on November 1.

Generally, it's a good idea to have a security freeze since it provides a strong layer of protection against identity theft but there is this high fee associated with it. A security freeze is free to identity theft victims who have a police report of identity theft. If you are not an identity theft victim, it will cost you $10 to place a freeze with each credit bureau and and another $10 whenever you wish to remove it, though some states do require lower fees.. That’s a total of $30 to freeze your files with all 3 agencies and another $30 to remove it.

This means an average couple would have to pay $180 to freeze their files and then remove them when they need to obtain credit. If you're planning to borrow money soon for a home or a car or open another credit card, you may hold off it for now to avoid the fees and hassles of placing and removing the freeze. Do not forget that a similar situation arises if you'll soon be looking for a new job, when your potential employer might need to look at your credit reports, as we discussed in a past posting.