Freezing reports with the three major credit bureaus is not enough
Freezing your credit reports is a simple step you can take to limit access to your credit report, making it harder to open unauthorized accounts in your name. While many people know about the three nationwide consumer credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, there are other consumer reporting agencies that collect and share information on your financial behavior. So, freezing your reports at these agencies can be just as important.
Here are three more big consumer reporting agencies you haven’t heard:
- Innovis. While it’s not as well-known as the main credit bureaus, Innovis is considered the fourth largest consumer credit reporting agency in the United States, behind the big three. You can request an Innovis credit freeze by phone, mail or by submitting a security freeze request online. After the request is processed, you’ll receive a letter with a 10-digit PIN that you can use to lift the freeze.
- ChexSystems, Inc. ChexSystems is another consumer reporting agency that tracks consumers’ deposit and debit history. You can add and remove security freezes from your ChexSystems report after creating an online ChexSystems account, using the online form, by mail and by phone. ChexSystems will also mail you a personal identification number (PIN) that you’ll need to create an online account, and lift the freeze. Adding a security freeze to your ChexSystems report limits access to your credit report and can help protect you from opening savings and checking accounts in your name.
- LexisNexis. Unlike traditional credit reporting agencies, LexisNexis’s reports cover a broader range of an individual’s background including criminal records, property records, and other public records. You can request your security freeze, or temporarily lift or permanently remove your security freeze by completing the form online, via U.S. mail or by phone.
What to know about freezes:
- It’s usually free to freeze and unfreeze your reports, but some services might offer this option as part of a paid subscription.
- You’ll have to contact each of the reporting agencies separately to freeze your reports.
- Once you’ve frozen a report, you’ll have to unfreeze it before applying for a new account.
- You can also create and freeze credit reports for your children under the age of 16.
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