Equifax credit freeze
myEquifax.com credit freeze account holders will breeze through this step-by-step guide on how to freeze their credit at Equifax. An Equifax credit freeze is a tool that allows consumers to secure their credit reports and prevent unauthorized access. It’s a simple and effective way to protect against identity theft and other types of credit fraud. The cost of an Equifax credit freeze is entirely free – US congress passed a law removing all charges for credit freezes. Remember, freezing and unfreezing are entirely free by law; you never need to pay for them.
Don’t have an account yet? Follow this link to create a myEquifax account at Equifax so you can freeze and unfreeze your credit quickly.
For help on common Equifax Errors, see this page.
1. Log in to your myEquifax.com Account
Equifax uses a web app called “myEquifax” as its consumer account portal to control credit freezes. The myEquifax logo looks a little different than the other Equifax branding. Remember, Equifax is a consumer credit bureau, not a tech/design company like Airbnb. Login to your myEquifax account here: https://my.equifax.com/membercenter/#/login.
If you see a “We are temporarily unable to complete this request” screen like this one when signing in, Equifax’s system is down. You will not be able to complete your freeze request online or by phone. The only way to complete your freeze is to call Equifax at 888-298-0045 from 9am-5pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Equifax may have expanded hours for COVID-19 support. After the phone system fails to freeze your credit automatically, press 0 to be connected to a human agent who will confirm your information and process the freeze.
Equifax’s system can be down for many days at a time. If Equifax’s system uptime is unacceptable, we invite you to file a CFPB complaint, call your congressperson, or tweet at Equifax’s executives.
2. Place an Equifax credit freeze
After you sign in to your myEquifax account, you will see your account dashboard. On the upper-right side of the page, there is a “Place a freeze” link. Click the link to continue. How long does an Equifax credit freeze last? Forever. There is no expiration date.
3. Continue Placing an Equifax credit freeze
Clicking on the link brings you into a small flow, where you need to click “Place a Freeze” a few times. It’s in a gray button here!
Again, click the “Place a Freeze” button to add a freeze to your Equifax credit report. It’s in a red button here!
4. Confirmation
That’s it! You just froze your credit at Equifax! No PIN was needed. The PDF on the final step page is the only confirmation document that Equifax provides, so be sure to save it if you need it. Equifax does not send a confirmation email.
Complete all credit bureau Freezes
With your myEquifax account, an Equifax credit freeze is pretty straightforward. However, freezing your credit only at Equifax will leave your credit files at the other bureaus available and vulnerable to identity theft. If you haven’t already done so, freeze your credit at Experian and TransUnion to fully protect yourself. They are similar companies to Equifax and can be considered alternatives to an Equifax credit freeze.
Whenever you want to use your credit in the future, use our guides to unfreeze your credit. The best protection you can get is to temporarily lift your credit freeze when you apply for a new account.
Benefits of a myEquifax.com Credit Freeze
People may choose to freeze their credit with Equifax for many reasons. A credit freeze is an effective way to prevent unauthorized access to your credit report. By freezing your credit, you control who can access your credit information and when. Here are some common reasons why you may want to consider freezing your credit with Equifax:
- To prevent identity theft: Freezing your credit is one of the most effective ways to prevent identity theft. It stops thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
- To protect your personal information: A credit freeze helps to protect your sensitive personal information, including your Social Security number (SSN), date of birth, and current and previous addresses.
- To secure your financial information: Freezing your credit can also protect your financial information, such as your bank accounts, investment accounts, and credit card information.
- To avoid credit fraud: Freezing your credit can also prevent credit fraud, such as opening unauthorized credit accounts or using your personal information to obtain loans or credit cards.
In conclusion, freezing your credit with Equifax can provide peace of mind and protection of your personal and financial information. It is a simple and effective tool to secure your credit report and prevent unauthorized access.