How to Freeze My Special Credit Report

One of the most frustrating aspects of credit reporting and credit scoring is the lack of control. There is no way to opt-out. Consumers don’t choose to do business with any credit reporting agency. Yet, these companies continue to collect and sell personal information against our will.

Beyond requesting and reviewing your special credit reports and special credit scores yearly, there is one other measure that you can take — a credit report freeze. A credit report freeze can help protect privacy by “freezing” access to your credit report information from any outsider.

What is a credit report freeze?

A credit report freeze, also known as a security freeze, lets you restrict access to your credit report. This makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name, or for companies to obtain your information without your express knowledge.

A credit report freeze is supposed to stop unwanted accounts, because most third-party need to see your credit report before they give approval. If these third-parties can’t see your credit file, they may not approve. For example, if you apply to rent an apartment, and the landlord can’t see tenant history credit file, the landlord may decline to rent to you.

Can special credit reports be frozen?

Yes. Special credit reports can be frozen if the special credit reporting agency allows it. Unlike the Big 3 credit reports for credit, the special credit reporting agencies are not required to provide an option to freeze special credit reports. While some special credit reporting agencies do offer freezes, most do not.

One special credit reporting agency that offers credit report “freezes” is Equifax Workforce Solutions, which sells an employment history report called TALX/ The Work Number. But, Equifax/ TALX does not even publish any information on its website about the freeze option. According to “Equifax Could Be Selling Your Salary History. Here’s How To Protect It” by Fast Company:

There is no way to opt out of being included in the Work Number database, but, it turns out, it is possible to prevent others from requesting your individual employment credit report to begin with. Equifax, however, doesn’t explicitly explain how to activate additional privacy protections on salary reports, or even publicize such privacy options. In an email to Fast Company, spokesperson Marisa Salcines explained, “Freeze requests are uncommon, so we don’t have any specific freeze instructions on our website.”

HOW TO ASK EQUIFAX TO PROTECT YOUR SALARY DATA

The first privacy option Equifax offers individuals is a credit “Alert,” which requires that you be contacted before a credentialed verifier, such as a mortgage or credit card company, opens a new line of credit or extends existing credit to you. “This is most frequently used by active-duty military or by individuals who believe they may have been a victim of identity theft-related fraud,” writes Salcines.

The second, and stronger privacy option, the credit “Freeze,” is a legal request to restrict others’ access to your individual salary history report. When a verifier requests a “frozen” record, it will see a “no record” response.

There is no charge for an individual to “Freeze” or “Unfreeze” their Equifax Workforce Solutions report.

There are three ways you can request a credit “Alert” or “Freeze” of your Equifax Workforce Solutions report:

1. Call Equifax Workforce Solutions at 866-222-5880 to make an action request (either Alert or Freeze) and provide identity verification.
2. Mail an action request (either Alert or Freeze) and proof of identity to: Equifax Workforce Solutions, ATTN: DISPUTE. 3470 Rider Trail South, Earth City, MO 63045.
3. Fax an action request (either Alert or Freeze) and proof of identity to: Equifax Workforce Solutions at (314) 812-6822.

Once the freeze action is complete, usually by the next business day, according to Equifax, you’ll receive a notification with a case number and instructions on how to remove the freeze.

As reported, a security freeze can be placed on your Equifax/ TALX employment history report via telephone, mail, or fax.

How do I freeze my credit report?

In order to freeze your credit report, you must request a freeze by contacting the credit reporting agency directly via telephone or mail. For each special credit report you’d like to freeze, you must contact the credit reporting agency directly.

There may be a charge to freeze your credit report. Whether or not to assess a charge is up to the credit reporting agency.

How do I unfreeze or “thaw” my credit report?

Occasionally, frozen credit reports need to be unfrozen, or “thawed”. This may be necessary if you need the use of your credit report to obtain third-party approval. Contact the special credit reporting agency by telephone or mail in order to unfreeze or “thaw” your credit report. Credit reports may be frozen and unthawed an unlimited number of times.

There may be a charge to unfreeze your credit report. Whether or not to assess a charge is up to the credit reporting agency.