Thanks to Mr Anonymous for sending this information
It is New Jersey procedures - so please check in your state for the proper procedures for Freezing Your Credit File
THANKS MR. ANONYMOUS
How to "Freeze" Your Credit Files
NJ Department of Banking and Insurance
If you live in New Jersey, you have the right to put a "security freeze" on your credit file. A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors.
Most businesses will not open credit accounts without checking a consumer's credit history first. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number would probably not be able to get credit in your name.
A security freeze can help prevent identity theft. If you believe that you are the victim of identity theft, please contact your local law enforcement agency and file a police report with them. (More information...)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I place a security freeze? Answer
2. Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen? Answer
3. What is the difference between a fraud alert and a freeze? Answer
4. How long does it take for a security freeze to be in effect? Answer
5. How long does it take for a security freeze to be lifted? Answer
6. What will a creditor who requests my file see if it is frozen? Answer
7. Can a creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen? Answer
8. Can I order my own credit report if my file is frozen? Answer
9. Can anyone see my credit file if it is frozen? Answer
10. Do I have to freeze my file with all three credit reporting agencies? Answer
11. Will a freeze lower my credit score? Answer
12. Can an employer do a background check on me if I have a freeze on my credit file? Answer
13. Does freezing my file mean that I won't receive pre-approved credit offers? Answer
14. Does freezing my file automatically freeze my spouse's file? Answer
1. How do I place a security freeze?
To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit reporting agencies. You must provide identifying information. If you are an identity theft victim, provide a copy of your police report of identity theft. Placing a security freeze on your credit report is free.
Write to the addresses below:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
Send by certified mail.
Name, current and former address, Social Security number, date of birth
Web site
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Send by certified mail.
Full name, with middle initial and Jr./Sr., etc.
Current address and home addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth date, two proofs of residence (copy of driver's license, utility bill, insurance statement, bank statement)
Web site
Trans Union Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Send by regular or certified mail.
First name, middle initial, last name, Jr., etc.
Current home address and addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth date
Web site
2. Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen?
Yes. If you want to open a new credit account or get a new loan, you can lift the freeze on your credit file. You can lift it for a period of time or you can lift it for a specific creditor. After you send your letter asking for the freeze, each of the credit reporting agencies will send you a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
You will also get instructions on how to lift the freeze. You can lift the freeze by overnight mail or secure electronic mail, using your PIN. The credit reporting agencies must lift your freeze within three business days. The fee for lifting the freeze temporarily is no more than $5 for a date-range lift and no more than $5 for a lift for a specific creditor.
3. What is the difference between a fraud alert and a freeze?
A fraud alert is a special message on the report that a credit issuer receives when checking a consumer's credit rating. It tells the credit issuer that there may be fraud involved in the account. A fraud alert can help protect you against identity theft. A fraud alert can also slow down your ability to get new credit. It should not stop you from using your existing credit cards or other accounts.
A security freeze means that your credit file cannot be shared with potential creditors, insurance companies or employers doing background checks. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without checking a consumer's credit history first.
4. How long does it take for a security freeze to be in effect?
Credit reporting agencies must place the freeze no later than five business days after receiving your written request.
5. How long does it take for a security freeze to be lifted?
Credit reporting agencies must lift a freeze no later than three business days of receiving your request.
6. What will a creditor who requests my file see if it is frozen?
A creditor will see a message or a code indicating that the file is frozen.
7. Can a creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen?
No. A creditor who requests your file from one of the three credit reporting agencies will only get a message or a code indicating that the file is frozen.
8. Can I order my own credit report if my file is frozen?
Yes.
9. Can anyone see my credit file if it is frozen?
When you have a security freeze on your credit file, certain entities still have access to it. Your report can still be released to your existing creditors or to collection agencies acting on their behalf. They can use it to review or collect on your account. Other creditors may also use your information to make offers of credit-unless you opt out of receiving such offers. (How to opt out of pre-approved credit offers...)
Government agencies may have access for collecting child support payments or taxes or for investigating fraud. Government agencies may also have access in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena, or a search warrant.
10. Do I have to freeze my file with all three credit reporting agencies?
No, but different credit issuers may use different credit reporting agencies. Therefore, if you want to stop your credit file from being viewed, you need to freeze it with all three credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.
11. Will a freeze lower my credit score?
No.
12. Can an employer do a background check on me if I have a freeze on my credit file?
No. You would have to lift the freeze to allow a background check or to apply for insurance, just as you would to apply for credit.
13. Does freezing my file mean that I won't receive pre-approved credit offers?
No. You can stop pre-approved credit offers by contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-888-5-OPT-OUT or online at www.optoutprescreen.com. This will stop most of the offers that go through the credit reporting agencies. It is good for five years or you can make it permanent.
14. Does freezing my file automatically freeze my spouse's file?
No. Both spouses have to freeze their separate credit files, via separate letters requesting the freeze.
Source
It is New Jersey procedures - so please check in your state for the proper procedures for Freezing Your Credit File
THANKS MR. ANONYMOUS
How to "Freeze" Your Credit Files
NJ Department of Banking and Insurance
If you live in New Jersey, you have the right to put a "security freeze" on your credit file. A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors.
Most businesses will not open credit accounts without checking a consumer's credit history first. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number would probably not be able to get credit in your name.
A security freeze can help prevent identity theft. If you believe that you are the victim of identity theft, please contact your local law enforcement agency and file a police report with them. (More information...)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I place a security freeze? Answer
2. Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen? Answer
3. What is the difference between a fraud alert and a freeze? Answer
4. How long does it take for a security freeze to be in effect? Answer
5. How long does it take for a security freeze to be lifted? Answer
6. What will a creditor who requests my file see if it is frozen? Answer
7. Can a creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen? Answer
8. Can I order my own credit report if my file is frozen? Answer
9. Can anyone see my credit file if it is frozen? Answer
10. Do I have to freeze my file with all three credit reporting agencies? Answer
11. Will a freeze lower my credit score? Answer
12. Can an employer do a background check on me if I have a freeze on my credit file? Answer
13. Does freezing my file mean that I won't receive pre-approved credit offers? Answer
14. Does freezing my file automatically freeze my spouse's file? Answer
1. How do I place a security freeze?
To place a freeze, you must write to each of the three credit reporting agencies. You must provide identifying information. If you are an identity theft victim, provide a copy of your police report of identity theft. Placing a security freeze on your credit report is free.
Write to the addresses below:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
Send by certified mail.
Name, current and former address, Social Security number, date of birth
Web site
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Send by certified mail.
Full name, with middle initial and Jr./Sr., etc.
Current address and home addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth date, two proofs of residence (copy of driver's license, utility bill, insurance statement, bank statement)
Web site
Trans Union Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Send by regular or certified mail.
First name, middle initial, last name, Jr., etc.
Current home address and addresses for past five years, Social Security number, birth date
Web site
2. Can I open new credit accounts if my files are frozen?
Yes. If you want to open a new credit account or get a new loan, you can lift the freeze on your credit file. You can lift it for a period of time or you can lift it for a specific creditor. After you send your letter asking for the freeze, each of the credit reporting agencies will send you a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
You will also get instructions on how to lift the freeze. You can lift the freeze by overnight mail or secure electronic mail, using your PIN. The credit reporting agencies must lift your freeze within three business days. The fee for lifting the freeze temporarily is no more than $5 for a date-range lift and no more than $5 for a lift for a specific creditor.
3. What is the difference between a fraud alert and a freeze?
A fraud alert is a special message on the report that a credit issuer receives when checking a consumer's credit rating. It tells the credit issuer that there may be fraud involved in the account. A fraud alert can help protect you against identity theft. A fraud alert can also slow down your ability to get new credit. It should not stop you from using your existing credit cards or other accounts.
A security freeze means that your credit file cannot be shared with potential creditors, insurance companies or employers doing background checks. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without checking a consumer's credit history first.
4. How long does it take for a security freeze to be in effect?
Credit reporting agencies must place the freeze no later than five business days after receiving your written request.
5. How long does it take for a security freeze to be lifted?
Credit reporting agencies must lift a freeze no later than three business days of receiving your request.
6. What will a creditor who requests my file see if it is frozen?
A creditor will see a message or a code indicating that the file is frozen.
7. Can a creditor get my credit score if my file is frozen?
No. A creditor who requests your file from one of the three credit reporting agencies will only get a message or a code indicating that the file is frozen.
8. Can I order my own credit report if my file is frozen?
Yes.
9. Can anyone see my credit file if it is frozen?
When you have a security freeze on your credit file, certain entities still have access to it. Your report can still be released to your existing creditors or to collection agencies acting on their behalf. They can use it to review or collect on your account. Other creditors may also use your information to make offers of credit-unless you opt out of receiving such offers. (How to opt out of pre-approved credit offers...)
Government agencies may have access for collecting child support payments or taxes or for investigating fraud. Government agencies may also have access in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena, or a search warrant.
10. Do I have to freeze my file with all three credit reporting agencies?
No, but different credit issuers may use different credit reporting agencies. Therefore, if you want to stop your credit file from being viewed, you need to freeze it with all three credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.
11. Will a freeze lower my credit score?
No.
12. Can an employer do a background check on me if I have a freeze on my credit file?
No. You would have to lift the freeze to allow a background check or to apply for insurance, just as you would to apply for credit.
13. Does freezing my file mean that I won't receive pre-approved credit offers?
No. You can stop pre-approved credit offers by contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-888-5-OPT-OUT or online at www.optoutprescreen.com. This will stop most of the offers that go through the credit reporting agencies. It is good for five years or you can make it permanent.
14. Does freezing my file automatically freeze my spouse's file?
No. Both spouses have to freeze their separate credit files, via separate letters requesting the freeze.
Source
