Credit Freeze Instructions - Washington

 

	How do I add a credit freeze?
	To request a credit freeze, you should do the following: 1. File a police report in either the jurisdiction where the crime took place or where you live. 2. Send a request for a security freeze to the three major credit reporting agencies. Your request must be sent be certified mail and include a copy of a police report. (Although the credit bureaus generally share information reported to them that is related to a fraud alert or credit freeze, they are not required to do so.) Equifax Security Freeze P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348 Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 Trans Union Security Freeze P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92834-6790 You must: Send a letter by certified mail Include a copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft Provide your full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.,) address, Social Security number, and date of birth If you have moved in the past 5 years, supply the addresses where you have lived over the prior 5 years Provide proof of current address such as a current utility bill or phone bill Send a photocopy of a government issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, military identification, etc.) Provide payment by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover cards only.)

	How much will it cost?
	No fees for ID theft victims with investigative report.

Background on Security Freeze
If you are a resident of Washington, you have had the right as of September 1, 2008 to place a security freeze on your credit report if you are a victim of identity theft who has filed a police, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft. A Security Freeze will prevent access to your credit report, allowing you to control which companies may see your credit report. However, there are certain exemptions to the Security Freeze allowed by state law that allows companies to view your report even though it is frozen.

Special Offers

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• Monitors your children´s personal information, alerting you if someone applies for credit or opens an account in their name
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Prevention

• Prevention Tips - Learn the simple things that will help protect your identity.
• Your Mailbox - Eliminate credit offers and protect your mail.
• Paper Shredders - Learn what to shred. Find a good shredder.
• Scams - Learn how to recognize "phishing" and other common scams.
• Credit Freeze - Is one available in your state?
  
• Fraud Alerts - Take 30 seconds today and place a fraud alert on your credit.

Detection

• Credit Reports - Learn how to spot signs of fraud in your credit report.
• Credit Monitoring - Compare the cost and features of credit report monitoring services.
• The Fact Act Explained - Learn the best way to order your goverment-mandated free credit reports.

Recovery

• Emergency Help - Learn what to do if you believe you are a victim of identity theft.