How To Freeze Your Credit Report To Prevent Identify Theft
With recent data breaches that may have exposed social security numbers, it is important to protect yourself and your family members from identify theft. Placing a free credit freeze on your credit reports can prevent fraudsters from opening new credit card accounts, mortgages, and other debt in your name. You and your family members can temporarily lift the freeze whenever needed if applying for a loan, buying a car, applying for a new credit card, or renting an apartment.
ACTIONS STEPS:
- The Office of the Attorney General provides information and instructions to https://www.mass.gov/info-details/freeze-your-credit. You will need to contact each of the three (3) credit bureaus separately to both freeze or unfreeze your credit report:
- Equifax Information Services LLC
1-888-298-0045
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ - Experian Security Freeze
1-888-397-3742
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html - TransUnion Security Freeze
1-888-909-8872
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
See our CTR Cyber page for more cybersecurity internal controls and check out our Cybersecurity for You page with tips specifically for you and your family. Contact [email protected] with any incidents or suspected incidents of fraud or cyber threats or if you need support from our Statewide Risk Management Team.