topic Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please! in Community Chat

Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 15:52:16 GMT

DH & I decided to put security freezes in place for the 3 major bureaus.We had no problem with Equifax or Experian.

The problem is with Transunion.They want us to open an account before they will freeze our credit!!. Was that your experience too? I would appreciate your help?Thank you.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:11:50 GMT

By going to the TransUnion site, click on credit Report Assistance, click on Credit Freeze, and click on Manage a State Security Freeze Online?

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

Goodie2shoes — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:03:02 GMT

I was able to place a security freeze at all 3 bureaus for $5 each. I went to the Transunion site, https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze/place-credit-freeze and followed the prompts. Hope that helps

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

dex — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:11:46 GMT

My DH said he went to a government web site to do it.He isn't here right now or I would state exactly how he did it.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:19:30 GMT

@dex @Goodie2shoes @deepwaterdotter I've tried everything including The manage a state tab & they keep telling me to create an account first. If anybody has any other ideas I'd sure appreciate it.How were you able to do it? Thanks!!

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:26:15 GMT

Maybe they require you to open an account in order to obtain payment for applying the Security Freeze?

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

Goodie2shoes — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:30:54 GMT

@NicksmomESQ. You are creating the account to set up the credit freeze. It will cost $5, and you will need to create a password which will be needed to unlock your account should you want to open a new line of credit. That's the only account you are setting up.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

IamMrsG — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:34:54 GMT

I did all three on the telephone. Two went without a hitch; however, Equifax took two days.

Equifax: 1-800-685-1111

Transunion: 1-888-909-8872

Experian: 1-888-397-3742

FWIW, Transunion and Experian each charged my state's fee. Equifax didn't ask for payment. Also, I applied individual freezes at each site for DH and myself.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

novamc1 — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:40:36 GMT

Last week, I called the toll-free numbers of all three credit bureaus and in a few minutes got freezes set up at Experian and TransUnion just by punching buttons on the phone. I'm supposedly going to get a postal-mailed letter in the near future confirming the freezes.

That whole process seemed too easy and quick to be real, so time will tell.

Equifax, however, sent me through all the phone button punching and then informed me that my request could not be processed and suggested I do it by postal mail. I don't know whether this response was because their computer servers are overwhelmed right now or what. I gave up and will try again another time. Lots of people are having trouble lately with Equifax.

In my state, freezes are free for seniors over 65.

None of these freezes, however, will protect anyone from having their credit card numbers or bank account numbers compromised.

Just because some crook can't take out a loan or set up a new line of credit in my name does not mean my bank accounts can't be cleaned out in a heartbeat. NO THANKS TO EQUIFAX!

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:41:48 GMT

@Goodie2shoes Oh so you've done it? Makes sense. What kind of info did you have to enter besides your ss#? Thanks!

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

IamMrsG — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:43:27 GMT

@novamc1 wrote, in part: "That whole process seemed too easy and quick to be real, so time will tell.

Equifax, however, send me through all the phone button punching and then informed me that my request could not be processed and suggested I do it by postal mail. I don't know whether this response was because their computer servers are overwhelmed right now or what. I gave up and will try again another time. Lots of people are having trouble lately with Equifax."

I had the same experience with Equifax. Persistence (mixed with lots of frustration) won.

We received the confirmation packets from both Transunion and Experian within two days. As of today, nothing yet from Equifax, though.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

Coquille — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:45:45 GMT

@NicksmomESQ I had done the same as Iammrsg. I already had a freeze with transunion for about 3 years but recently put a freeze with the other two companies. I called both companies and enacted via phone. I received the confirmations within 7-10 days. Try again.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

cancun08 — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:47:15 GMT

The 3 of them are all incompetent with their protection of your info. I have been involved in a class action lawsuit against Experian since 2009. TransUnion & Equifax were also involved to a lesser degree. The lawsuit will finally be going to court in December. They all are a disgrace. Please don't put too much confidence in them.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:47:16 GMT

@novamc1 When you did it over the phone were you given pin #'s?

I put a freeze on line with Equifax in just a few minutes.You may want to try that.

Thanks!

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

novamc1 — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:52:40 GMT

@IamMrsG

I see you posted at about the same time I did, and I have a different phone number than you posted for setting up a freeze at Equifax...........

800-349-9960

This was the number to use according to the Atlanta newspaper. At this point, they probably need more than one to handle all the irate consumers out there!

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

novamc1 — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:52:09 GMT

Based on advice from "some experts" that was written up in other news sources--- and because I hate doing transactions of any kind online--I used the phone to set up mine. I got what is called an "ID number" with one of the credit bureaus but I believe the PIN will be randomly generated and contained in the mail I should receive later.

Hey, I really don't know.........I'm new at this, no thanks to Equifax.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

excpa — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 18:08:29 GMT

@novamc1 Is that state New York?

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

novamc1 — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 18:41:23 GMT

@excpa

No, the state I was referring to for free freezes for seniors over 65 is Georgia. Other states may have different or similar rules for freezes.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

excpa — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 20:48:46 GMT

@novamc1 Thanks. Bummer.

Re: Need Security Freeze Help,Please!

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 21:21:32 GMT

@excpa It's free to place security freezes in New York.It costs $5 to lift them.