How to Lock Your Credit Report

Most identity theft victims have fallen prey to people they know well, people who have physical access to the victim's personal information. In most states, there is an easy method to protecting yourself: credit report locking. It's like putting your identity in a safety deposit box, and suddenly ... only you have the key.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephone
• Pen & Paper

1. Make sure you're in a state that allows you to freeze your credit. The states that currently allow credit freezing are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Vermont, or Washington.

2. Check if you're in a state that requires you to already be a victim. If you live in Texas, Vermont, Illinois, or Washington you can freeze your credit only if you've already fallen victim to identity theft or a security breach at your financial institution.

3. Freeze your credit with Equifax. You'll want to call 1-800-685-1111 to find out what the most current fees and mailing addresses are. Then, send your request by certified mail and include your name, current and former address, social security number, and date of birth in the request. If you're already a victim of identity theft, you'll have to include a valid copy of the police report, investigative report, or complaint that you filed with a law enforcement agency.

4. Freeze your credit with Experian. Call 1-888-397-3742 to find their current Security Freeze mailing address and what fees apply. You'll need to send your full name, current address and home addresses for the past 5 years, your social security number, birth date, and two proofs of residence (copy of driver's license, utility bill, insurance statement, bank statement) via certified mail. If you're an identity theft victim, you'll also need to include a valid copy of the police report, investigative report, or complaint filed with your law enforcement agency.

5. Freeze your credit with TransUnion. Get their current Security Freeze mailing address and find out what fees apply by calling 1-888-909-8872. Your current address and home addresses for the last 5 years, social security number, and birth date can be sent via regular or certified mail. Identity theft victims need to include a valid copy of the police report, investigative report, or complaint filed with a law enforcement agency.

Tips & Warnings

• Anyone - in any state - can request fraud protection by contacting the credit reporting agencies. Fraud protection isn't the same as locking your credit, but it can help.

Resources

• How to Lock Your Credit Report & Why You Want To

[itsnickmo]

on 9/10/2008 I thought that this was a pretty decent post. Although I didn't see anything mentioned about the different types of identity thefts that lead to credit report locking. Try
http://www.creditreports.com/Credit_Reports_Locking

[dtrebor]

on 9/3/2008 Pray and then visit www . pudgees . com for money making ideas