Have You Freezed/Unfreezed Your Credit Yet?

[sengsational]

Bottom line is that 2 worked painlessly, and one (Equifax) was a pain.

Going for a card with a monster sign-up bonus and thawed 2 painlessly, but, again Equifax didn't work. When I tried to sign-in, it says "We are temporarily unable to complete this request.Please try again later." I kind of doubt it will work "later" either . On the 18 minute call with Equifax last time, I was assured "it will work online next time".



The good news is that with just 2 thawed, I was immediately approved for the card, so now I just spend $3000 on it in the first 3 months to earn the $500 worth of travel.

 

[cbo111]

After years of credit freeze, I had the need to unfreeze when purchasing a Toyota. Despite my paying all cash, the dealer claimed their procedures required a credit check. Somehow, on one of the three sites I could not find my pin#. That was a pain in the butt requiring a couple hours of telephone and email buffoonery. Moral of this story, don't lose your pins#!

 

[sengsational]

... again Equifax didn't work. When I tried to sign-in, it says "We are temporarily unable to complete this request.Please try again later." I kind of doubt it will work "later" either . On the 18 minute call with Equifax last time, I was assured "it will work online next time".

Still doesn't work today. Is it just me, or can anyone else log into equifax on "https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/" and thaw online? I don't even get logged on, so you could just try to log on (if you have created an account).



I do use a spamgourmet email address with them, since we know they can't be trusted with personal information. I suppose that could be throwing a wrench in it. When I click the password reset button, I don't get an email either, and it's not logged as coming through spamgourmet either.

 

[retiredunder50]

I froze mine over a dozen years ago and it was one of the best things I ever did. My former employer, the DoD, compromised my information at least 3 times. They, like all others, claimed they took protecting personally identifiable information “seriously”, but their actions proved otherwise. I quickly learned that freezing really worked when my clearance was up for its renewal and the investigative service called me to please unfreeze so my credit could be checked. Unfreezing and refreezing has not been an issue. The only problem I had was when my homeowners insurance bill more than doubled over the prior year. It turns out my credit was tier 1 and the new policy was based on tier 21 (I have no idea of the tier/point ranges). When I temporarily unfroze my credit, the corrected bill was close to what I was paying. When getting quotes for auto & home insurance, you might want to unfreeze for the period that you are shopping for insurance.

 

[KM]

After years of credit freeze, I had the need to unfreeze when purchasing a Toyota. Despite my paying all cash, the dealer claimed their procedures required a credit check. Somehow, on one of the three sites I could not find my pin#. That was a pain in the butt requiring a couple hours of telephone and email buffoonery. Moral of this story, don't lose your pins#!

We went through the same thing....credit check even though we were paying cash. I told them our credit was frozen and I didn’t have the necessary keys handy to unfreeze, so I “didn’t know what they were going to do about it” [emoji16]

Took them about an hour but they came back and said we were approved. I think they found some obscure credit bureau to clear us through, as were only locked down in the Big 3.

They want to sell the car bad enough, they’ll figure it out [emoji14]

 

[beowulf]

After years of credit freeze, I had the need to unfreeze when purchasing a Toyota. Despite my paying all cash, the dealer claimed their procedures required a credit check. Somehow, on one of the three sites I could not find my pin#. That was a pain in the butt requiring a couple hours of telephone and email buffoonery. Moral of this story, don't lose your pins#!

Last year I had the same experience with a car dealer. The money guy insisted I allow a credit check. I insisted that, since I was paying cash, my credit score was irrelevant. He would not budge. I asked to speak to the general manager and informed him that he had a decision to make - no credit check or lose a $40K sale. Guess what? He decided that they really didn't need a credit check after all. Threatening to walk away works wonders. And be prepared to do so. Refuse to be bullied by idiots who are following a script.

 

[aggie76]

Do you mean SS needs access to your credit?

But wait, my VISA tells me my credit score every few weeks. Do they not have access to it since I froze all three or do they have access regardless of freeze since I opened that CC before I froze?

I froze all 3 credit bureaus last year when my indent was stolen. I have decided that I will never need nor use credit again as my next move will be to the " home" where my only concern will be someone changing out the drool cup.... I pay cash for cars and already have all of the credit cards Ill ever need ( Amex and a debit)

I did find out that you can not sign up ONLINE for the MySocialSecurity thing when you have frozen the accounts and had to go to the local office. It was a snap doing it at the office and I have been able to do everything else online no problems. Like someone said they could care less about your credit score but need to access the security info contained in the credit file. (This is flaw that needs to be fixed).

When you freeze your files you will get a little note saying that existing creditors will still be able to access your files which is why you still get credit scores etc from you rCC provider and bank.

I did have some fun recently when some damn doctors office tried to collect on a $278 bogus bill for a test I NEVER had. The little office puke started to threaten me with " reporting me to the credit bureaus etc...blah blah..." I responded by telling her that "I could care less. For all I care my score could be ZERO since I no longer use credit and GO POUND SAND..report your little heart out ! " Never heard from them again.

 

[aggie76]

Last year I had the same experience with a car dealer. The money guy insisted I allow a credit check. I insisted that, since I was paying cash, my credit score was irrelevant. He would not budge. I asked to speak to the general manager and informed him that he had a decision to make - no credit check or lose a $40K sale. Guess what? He decided that they really didn't need a credit check after all. Threatening to walk away works wonders. And be prepared to do so. Refuse to be bullied by idiots who are following a script.

Bought a new car a few months ago. Paid cash. The finance guy asked for SS#, told him NO.. none of his business. He said that any transaction over $10,000 required that they report to the feds ( damn stupid war on drugs) and ABSOLUTELY that's all it will be used for so I gave in. Came back few minutes later and said that they needed me to unfreeze. Again...NO... not using credit and my credit info in none of their business and I'm already mad as hell cause he LIED and used my SS# for a credit check... Take my damn check or save us both time and I will walk. I got a little loud deliberately. In a matter of moments some suit walked in asked what the problem was to whit I took over th conversation not allowing the finance clown a word. He asked us to step into his office, apologized and immediately finished the deal with no hassle.

 

[gindie]

I quickly learned that freezing really worked when my clearance was up for its renewal and the investigative service called me to please unfreeze so my credit could be checked.

FYI, this is no longer required. We received an e-mail from our security person that a part of the law that made freezing/thawing free also gave access to the folks for clearance re-investigations.

 

[Sunset]

Still doesn't work today. Is it just me, or can anyone else log into equifax on "https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/" and thaw online? I don't even get logged on, so you could just try to log on (if you have created an account).

I do use a spamgourmet email address with them, since we know they can't be trusted with personal information. I suppose that could be throwing a wrench in it. When I click the password reset button, I don't get an email either, and it's not logged as coming through spamgourmet either.

Just froze my credit at the other big 2, but equifax STILL is not working correctly.
I go through the whole thing, answer the dumb questions, and it says they will mail me a letter or I can phone.
I phone, and lady answered pretty fast, but told me their system was down and to phone back in 30 minutes..
Heck with that, I clicked on the button "mail me a confirmation code" Let them pay $ to mail me paper

 

[sengsational]

I called Equifax and said I was unable to log on to the freeze/thaw account I had created. The rep said she saw the account, and that there was an error on their end. She said the problem was escalated to the technical support department and I should expect to get an email when the problem is solved. I'll believe THAT when I see it!

 

[brucethebroker]

Last year I had the same experience with a car dealer. The money guy insisted I allow a credit check. I insisted that, since I was paying cash, my credit score was irrelevant. He would not budge. I asked to speak to the general manager and informed him that he had a decision to make - no credit check or lose a $40K sale. Guess what? He decided that they really didn't need a credit check after all. Threatening to walk away works wonders. And be prepared to do so. Refuse to be bullied by idiots who are following a script.

After test driving a Subaru (with the internet sales guy), he asked for my phone number. Not necessary, I told him. "Well, we guarantee you will not be bothered by sales calls, etc." No. I said. He persisted, so I walked out.

Lots of excuses from these guys/gals to get your info so they can snoop around or make sales calls.

 

[Dawg52]

I had to unfreeze my credit when I switched to T-Mobile cell phone. I had printed out the pin when I froze my credit, so no problem to that it. When I went to buy a car and write check for the car, the dealer needed to unfreeze my credit before they would accept the check. I wasn't prepared for that with the pin in hand, so didn't end up buying the car . I could have called the Credit bureau and dealt with it, but I didn't like the fact the dealer wouldn't call my bank. Still don't have a new car....

After years of credit freeze, I had the need to unfreeze when purchasing a Toyota. Despite my paying all cash, the dealer claimed their procedures required a credit check.

So far I haven't had a problem. I just switched to Cricket Wireless and no credit check required. I was thinking this might be my first stumbling block. Put my payment on cc autopay so maybe that is why. And purchased a new suv last summer with no hassles whatsoever. Just handed over a check and that was it.

 

[jazz4cash]

I don’t have experience with freezing /unfreezing but wanted to report my experience with credit checks at car dealers. I was shopping for a used car while waiting for home refi to close. I told them no credit check. I’ll pay cash or use credit union loan which didn’t require credit check. I ended up writing a personal check for the car which they accepted with no hesitation. A few weeks later I get their disclosure letter stating they had checked my credit. I was furious but when I looked into it I learned that giving them a personal check was implicit authorization for them to check my credit. Everything worked out, dealer is not sleazy, just poor communication process, IMO.

 

[Sunset]

I don’t have experience with freezing /unfreezing but wanted to report my experience with credit checks at car dealers. I was shopping for a used car while waiting for home refi to close. I told them no credit check. I’ll pay cash or use credit union loan which didn’t require credit check. I ended up writing a personal check for the car which they accepted with no hesitation. A few weeks later I get their disclosure letter stating they had checked my credit. I was furious but when I looked into it I learned that giving them a personal check was implicit authorization for them to check my credit. Everything worked out, dealer is not sleazy, just poor communication process, IMO.

I never heard of that, all they have to do is cash the check, if it bounces that will happen with good or bad credit.

Did you read that somewhere else, or was it the car dealer that claimed that ??

 

[jazz4cash]

I never heard of that, all they have to do is cash the check, if it bounces that will happen with good or bad credit.

Did you read that somewhere else, or was it the car dealer that claimed that ??

Yeah I read it someplace as I was preparing to raise hell with the dealer.

 

[beowulf]

Car dealers want as much info on you that they can get. It wouldn't surprise me if they sell it. I still get e-mails from a dealer that sold me a car over 25 years ago. I have never taken a loan from a car dealer - it's either cash or the credit union. I wonder what they would do if I brought in a baggie of $100 bills. Probably wouldn't as they have to report that to the feds in case it's money laundering. I'd love if i could charge a car - lots and lots of airline points. But the most I could ever charge was $5K. Better than nothing.

 

[FIREd]

The last time that I wanted to temporarily lift the freeze on my credit, I ran into some issues with Equifax. I could not unfreeze my credit online or on the phone and I had to send them a letter by snail mail to get the freeze lifted! It took almost a week.

 

[Sunset]

Seems like Equifud has found a solution to being hacked. Turn off their database servers

 

[sengsational]

I called Equifax and said I was unable to log on to the freeze/thaw account I had created. The rep said she saw the account, and that there was an error on their end. She said the problem was escalated to the technical support department and I should expect to get an email when the problem is solved. I'll believe THAT when I see it!

Of course I never got an email. I tried to get a credit card by unfreezing two of the three, but just got a letter saying they couldn't check those bozos at Equifax. The letter from the credit card company had a phone number to unfreeze at Equifax, which worked (after some struggling):

1-800-685-1111, option 3

Equifax really sucks. The online web thaw never lets me log on. The phone thaw took me 8 minutes because it kept ignoring the date I was entering to end the thaw. It's an automated system where you put in your social security number, the digits of your house number, and the pin code they assigned during the freeze process. Then if you want the thaw to start today, it understands that well enough, but it took me a dozen tries to get the end date in there. But it's done now. Finally. Tomorrow I'll call the credit card company and say it's ready to try again.

 

[audreyh1]

Finally did for the first time to change a credit card. Experian - was straightforward online.

Actually- I wonder if I really needed to thaw since it was with a financial institution I had an ongoing relationship with, but the CSR seemed to think I had to.

 

[jldavid47]

I froze my credit with all 3 agencies because a couple of years ago one of the breaches (probably State Farm) resulted in someone trying to open credit cards in my name. I had been putting on the 3-month blocks, but when I found out I could freeze my credit I jumped at it. Transunion and Experian were a breeze and easily done online. Equifax was an entirely different matter. I started the process online and at some point a box popped up saying I had an Equifax login and had to log into my account to continue. I have no idea what my password was so I hit "Forgot password" and waited for a password reset email. And waited. And waited. It never came. I tried 3 more times. Same thing. I finally did it over the phone which was easy, but Equifax clearly has problems with their online processes that they don't seem to give a damn about.


I have not tried even a temporary unfreezing yet. If that day comes I hope I don't run into more issues.

 

[sengsational]

The idea of going through a thaw on all 3 agencies has kept me from upgrading credit cards...

Referenced this post again.


It's weird. If I saved a note for myself on my own system, I could never find it, but if I post something here to help "everybody", it turns out I'm included in the "everybody" , and I can find it again!



Again, Equifax sucked. Unable to thaw, but went ahead and submitted the Amex CC application, and it passed. Only 25,000 ($250), but ain't nothing to sneeze at. No annual fee, so no urgency to close 11 months from now like the $500 bonus cards.


Nemo2...I'm on the return TA for November 9 (final payment on 8/4, about $1000/per for 14 days). Do to the powers that be conclude you're healthy enough to make the voyage? I'll be paramotoring before departure where the closest hospital is Málaga. I hope I don't end up there , but I know you gave it good reviews.

 

[Nemo2]

Nemo2...I'm on the return TA for November 9 (final payment on 8/4, about $1000/per for 14 days). Do to the powers that be conclude you're healthy enough to make the voyage? I'll be paramotoring before departure where the closest hospital is Málaga. I hope I don't end up there , but I know you gave it good reviews.

Have placed deposits on two back-to-backs on the Horizon leaving Trieste Oct 25/20 and arriving Athens Nov 12/20....nothing for this year.

DW is (still) hoping for Ukraine in the Spring of 2020, but if we make it it'll likely be a fly in - fly out.

(If something untoward happens when you're paramotoring you may not need hospitalization. )

 

[athena53]

Came back few minutes later and said that they needed me to unfreeze. Again...NO... not using credit and my credit info in none of their business and I'm already mad as hell cause he LIED and used my SS# for a credit check...

This happens a lot according to the posts I used to red on creditboards.dot.com. Many of the posters have services that monitor all activity with the credit bureaus and they've had car salesmen lie and say they won't check their credit and then they find a "hard pull" (not just screening, which doesn't affect your score, but processing it as if you were applying, which can lower it).

Back to the OT- I froze with all 3 after the Equifax breach. I applied for a credit card last year, got a snail-mail letter saying I had to unlock my credit with one bureau (I forget which). Unlocked it easily, called the number they gave me, was instantly approved, and locked it again with no problems. I'm planning on applying for another next month and hope it's that simple and that I don't need to deal with Equifax.