How to add security freezes to credit files [Tulsa World, Okla.]

Oct. 30--Security freezes: In Oklahoma you must pay $10 to have a security freeze put on and $10 to have it taken off. This puts your credit file on ice, preventing the information in your credit file from being reported to third parties, such as credit grantors, etc. Lenders will not be able to gain access to your credit file unless you give permission by thawing the frozen file with a secret code. This makes it unlikely an ID thief could open a new account in your name.

Even with a freeze, your credit file will still be disclosed in certain situations. Companies you do business with will still have access to your credit report, as would collection agencies working for one of those.

Companies will also still be able to offer you prescreened credit cards in the mail you have not applied for.

Additionally, in some states, potential employers, insurance companies, landlords, and other noncreditors can still get access to your credit report even with a security freeze in place. You will retain access to your free "annual credit report" annualcreditreport.com, and still be able to buy your credit report and credit score even after placing a Security Freeze.

Block your credit file from being disclosed to third parties (except as noted above). Should you wish to apply for a loan or service you must be proactive in requesting a lift in the security freeze so that the necessary third parties will be able to view the credit file if the file is frozen (except those exempted by law).

A security freeze remains on your credit file until you decide to remove or lift it. This gives you more control over who looks at your credit file and is an effective way to prevent an identity thief from opening most new accounts in your name.

However, a security freeze cannot prevent all types of identity theft. For example, a security freeze will not prevent an identity thief from using your existing credit cards or other accounts.

If you are actively seeking credit, you should understand that the procedures involved in lifting a security freeze may slow your own applications for credit. You should plan ahead and lift a freeze, either completely if you are shopping around, or specifically for a certain creditor, a few days before actually applying for new credit. Visit the following to place security freezes on your credit files.

Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013; or call 888-397-3742; experian.com/freeze Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348; or call 800-525-6285; https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze

TransUnion Security Freeze, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022; 888-909-8872; https://www.transunion.com/freeze

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