![]() In many cases, instead of asking to see the full file (credit report), creditors will ask to see your credit score-a three-digit number that reflects the information in your credit file. When you or a prospective lender or other inquirer want to see the contents of your file, it is compiled and presented as a credit report. The information in your credit file is provided to the credit reporting bureaus by your past and present creditors and contains information about the amount of credit you have been granted and your payment record, among other things. Your credit file is an electronic record maintained by credit reporting bureaus. What is a credit file, and how does it relate to a credit report and a credit score? Security freeze basicsĪ security freeze seals your credit file, making it off-limits to anyone who requests it from any of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). For more about these materials, visit the “Credit Freeze” page of the Consumer Action website. The brochure and this Q&A are free for individuals, community-based organizations and others who provide consumer education. This publication is a companion to the multilingual consumer brochure “Freeze Your Credit File,” available in Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. This "Security Freeze Backgrounder" can help answer some questions about what a security freeze is and how it works, who should consider a security freeze, and how to place, lift and remove a freeze. A credit file security freeze is a protective measure that is available to all U.S. These precautions include leaving their Social Security card at home, shredding documents that contain SSNs or other personal information, and “freezing” their credit reports. ![]() Many consumers take steps to protect themselves from identity thieves. The crooks can get other people’s personal information by stealing a wallet, searching the trash or hacking into a database. Often, a Social Security number (SSN) is all a thief needs to open credit accounts fraudulently. Each year, there are many, many cases where crooks illegally obtain new credit using other people’s names and credit histories. Using credit, we can avoid carrying large amounts of cash, shop more safely online, finance an education, start a business and buy a car or home.Ĭrooks and scammers see the value in credit, too-especially credit in other people’s names. ![]() Credit can be a convenience and a money management tool. ![]()
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