Credit Agencies to Offer File Freeze Universally

Freezing your credit report should soon become an option for security-minded consumers in all 50 states. A couple of weeks ago, TransUnion reported that it would allow consumers to freeze and thaw their credit files as a means to prevent identity theft. Yesterday, Experian followed suit by announcing they would also offer such a service. The third major credit bureau, Equifax, claims that it will be offering the same service soon, as well.

A credit freeze blocks access to a consumer’s credit report and score, making it significantly more difficult to obtain new credit. Currently, consumers in 15 states don’t have this ability. (For credit freeze rights in your state, see this page.) Freezing your credit won’t help, however, if an identity thief already has access to your credit accounts.

If you are a victim of identity theft, the credit bureaus will allow you to freeze your file for free. Otherwise, they will charge either $10 to add, lift or remove a credit freeze, unless a lower fee is mandated by state law. This means it will probably cost you $30 to place freezes across all three bureaus.

TransUnion’s service is planned to go into effect on October 15, while Experian’s will go live November 1. No date has been set for Equifax as yet.