Placing a security freeze on your credit report is likely the best way to stop the threat of identity theft. What is a security freeze you might be wondering? A security freeze (also known as a credit freeze) is a notice that is placed on a consumers credit report that stops credit reporting agencies from giving any information about the consumer to a third party without the consent of the consumer.

Almost all lenders will not give a consumer any credit without looking at their credit report first. Should someone end up getting a hold of your social security number or any other private information they will be very unlikely to be issued any type of credit in your name if your credit report is unable to be viewed. Since almost all lenders require that a consumer’s credit be pulled before any credit is extended, having a security freeze on your credit report will prevent the lender from getting any of your information should an identity thief try to get a loan in your name.

Placing a security freeze on your credit report will provide very effective protection from any type of credit being issued without getting your authorization.

How to begin the process of putting a security freeze on your credit report:

First you need to start by sending a certified letter to each of the three major credit reporting bureaus stating that you are requesting a security freeze on your credit profile. The addresses to write to can easily be located online. In your letter you need to provide the following information.

- You need to provide your full name and date of birth along with your social security number and address.

- If you have changed addresses in the past five years you need to include all of the addresses that you have lived at during that time period.

- A photocopy of a telephone bill or utility bill is needed to verify your address.

- A photocopy of a current drivers license or other government issued ID is also needed to verify your identity.

When you first request a security freeze on your credit report it is free. Any future requests will cost you $10. This fee may change, so make sure you get the most current information.

How can a security freeze be lifted?

As soon as your letter requesting a security freeze has arrived at the credit bureau the credit agency will send you a letter in conformation that will contain a pin number or some type of password. In order to get rid of the security freeze on your credit report you need to provide the proper information to prove your identity, the pin number or password that you were given, the entity that is allowed access to your information or the period of time that the freeze is to be lifted.

Every time you request to have a security freeze lifted in is going to cost you around $10. You will want to retain the conformation letters that were sent to you by the three major credit reporting agencies as they will give you the needed information about the proper steps to be taken to allow access to your credit report.

If you are worried about gaining access to your credit report when you have a security freeze in place you need not worry. While any third party entities will not be able to gain access to your ever important credit information you will be able to access your information and take care of anything that might be incorrect.