Question: I'd like to freeze my credit record to protect against identity theft. I heard that Congress recently passed a law making credit freezes free. When can I get my free freeze?
Answer: Congress just passed a law that will prohibit the three big credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—from charging a fee to place or lift a credit freeze. The free freezes will be available throughout the country this fall; the credit bureaus have until September 21, 2018, to implement the new law. A credit freeze prevents new creditors from reviewing your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to take out credit in your name.
Until the new law goes into effect, the cost to freeze your credit record varies by state. In many states, each credit bureau charges $5 to $10 to freeze your credit record and may charge a similar fee to lift the freeze if you're applying for a loan. (To hinder ID thieves, you need to freeze your record at all three credit bureaus.)
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
But several states recently passed laws to eliminate credit-freeze fees. You can place a free credit freeze in Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah and Washington, D.C. (You may need to pay a fee to lift the freeze in some of these states.) By the end of June, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon and Washington state will also be offering free credit freezes.
Go to www.equifax.com, www.experian.com and www.transunion.com to initiate the freeze and find out more about the cost and procedures. Equifax, which experienced a massive data breach last year, is offering free freezes for all consumers until June 30.
Also check with your state attorney general's office or consumer protection bureau to find out whether your state offers additional consumer protections on security freezes beyond what the federal law provides.
-
Stocks Slip to Start Fed Week: Stock Market TodayWhile a rate cut is widely expected this week, uncertainty is building around the Fed's future plans for monetary policy.
-
December Fed Meeting: Live Updates and CommentaryThe December Fed meeting is one of the last key economic events of 2025, with Wall Street closely watching what Chair Powell & Co. will do about interest rates.
-
This Is Why Investors Shouldn't Romanticize BitcoinInvestors should treat bitcoin as the high-risk asset it is. A look at the data indicates a small portfolio allocation for most investors would be the safest.
-
TransUnion Fined $23M For Tenant Screening, Credit FreezesGovernment charges TransUnion over illegal rental background checks and security freezes on consumer credit reports.
-
Credit Cards vs Charge Cards: What Are the Differences?All you need to know about credit cards vs charge cards — differences, pros and cons.
-
How Many Credit Cards Should I Have?How many credit cards should you have? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think — it all depends on your financial situation.
-
Credit card delinquency expected to increase in 2023Credit card and personal loan delinquency rates are expected to increase this year.
-
What Is a Good Credit Score?Having a good credit score can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars on credit cards, mortgages and other loans.
-
Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit 2023If used wisely, these credit cards can help you dig out of bad credit; you may even earn 2% cash back.
-
How to Freeze Your Credit in Three Stepscredit & debt Freezing your accounts at the three major credit bureaus is the best way to prevent thieves from opening new credit accounts in your name.
-
Did Equifax Botch Your Credit Score?credit score Equifax is in the news–yet again–this time for sending lenders the wrong credit score. Here’s how to find out if you were affected and what to do next.
