Quote:
Originally Posted by ossiblue
I have not found that to be true (bold). Every source I've checked, including Equifax itself, states that you must contact each agency separately and request a freeze. Asking for a Fraud Alert, on the other hand, only requires that you apply at one agency. The alert will then be forwarded on to the other two. I don't doubt your experience, but it's possible the company you were dealing with only used Experian as their credit verification source so you were covered.
From the Transunion website:
"You will need to place a security freeze separately with each of the three major credit reporting companies if you want the freeze on all of your credit files." https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze/place-credit-freeze
Financial help website:
"*When you do a credit freeze, it is imperative that you freeze your credit with all three bureaus.*" Credit Freeze Guide: The best way to protect yourself against identity theft | Clark Howard
From the FTC website:
" How do I place a freeze on my credit reports?
Contact each of the nationwide credit reporting companies:
Equifax — 1-800-349-9960
Experian — 1‑888‑397‑3742
TransUnion — 1-888-909-8872"
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs#place
Unless you can supply a verifiable source that states asking for a freeze on your credit from one agency will automatically transfer to the other two, the claim should be held in serious doubt. Perhaps it is a regulation in your particular state. If so, it does not apply everywhere, certainly not in California. |
That was told to me by Experian when I froze my credit after identity theft. I still have only frozen it with Experian and it worked so well I have never done a permenant lift on the freeze. I couldn't even sign up for Direct TV without lifting the freeze, but one call and a $15 charge lifted it for 24 hrs, same with my home loan, auto loan and applying for a credit card.
Now with the Equifax breach, I would hope the agencies would be even more vigilant. I'd rather not be on hold for an extended length of time, with all the other victims of the breach, with three agencies, paying $15 each, when purchasing a new vehicle or taking advantage of zero percent financing on a new purchase. One call to Experian does it for me.