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Office of Consumer Affairs
 Consumer Factsheet
 

Security Freeze LAW

 

  

 

 

  
 

Ohio’s Security Freeze law goes into effect on September 1, 2008, and will provide consumers with the ability to place a security freeze on their credit reports. When a security freeze is in place, credit reporting agencies may not release your credit file information unless you have removed the freeze first.

  
   

How To Freeze Your Credit Report

  
 

1. Send a written request for a security freeze to credit reporting agencies below:

Experian Security Freeze Equifax Security Freeze Trans Union Security Freeze
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013		 PO Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348		 PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834

2. Pay $5.00 per credit reporting agency ($15.00 if you place on all 3) to place a security freeze, unless you are a victim of identity theft with a police report. 

3. Pay $5.00 per credit reporting agency ($15.00 if you place on all 3) to remove a security freeze either permanently or temporarily.
 

  
   

What Happens After You Place Freeze

  
 

The credit reporting agency will place the security freeze within 3-business days after receiving your request and send you written confirmation.  After placing a security freeze, you will be sent a personal identification number or password. 

 
   

Remember With a Freeze In Place….

  
 

You can NOT do an instant line of credit at stores.

If you are currently paying for a credit monitoring program, you may want to consider placing a security freeze instead, which can save you money and provide the protection you want.

  
   

Before Your Place Freeze, Ask Yourself…

 

Are you considering purchasing a home or car, refinancing your home, or looking to buy furniture or appliances? If you answered yes, you may want to hold off placing a security freeze until you have completed your purchases.

     
 

A security freeze is a great tool to help prevent identity theft but you still need to pay attention to your existing credit or bank accounts. You will still need to check your statements on existing existing accounts for erroneous charges monthly.

  
 

 


Need Information?    Need to File a Complaint?
 
Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs
175 South Main Street, Suite 209
Akron, OH 44308
Website: www.co.summit.oh.us/conaffairs.htm
Email: consumeraffairs@summitoh.net
Phone: (330) 643-2879