A law in Illinois allows residents to “freeze” their credit reports. By freezing their credit reports, Illinois residents could reduce their risk of identity theft. According to a news release by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a security freeze prohibits the credit bureaus from releasing a credit report without the consumer’s permission, making it much harder for imposters to obtain a credit card or open a credit line in the consumer’s name. To take advantage of this new law to place a security freeze on your credit, you must make a written request to each of the three major credit bureaus listed below. Once the freeze is in place, only you can authorize access to your credit report. To place a security freeze, you must write to each of these credit bureaus.
Send your request by regular or certified mail. Use your first name, middle initial, last name, including Jr., etc. Include your 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). Persons aged 65 and older are not charged to request a security freeze, although it costs younger people $10 for each of the three credit bureaus, for a total of $30. The security freeze can be lifted temporarily when needed if at least three business days notice is given the credit bureaus. There is a $10 charge per credit bureau for anyone, regardless of age, who seeks a temporary lifting of their security freeze. ### Return to Miscellaneous Issues |
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