If they do none of these, then get an attorney and threaten or take legal action against them. Therefore, by law, now that they know that the account is controlled by someone who is not you, they are required to either disable the account, block the account from lifting or removing your security freeze or viewing your credit report, or transfer the account to you. Cite that 1) the account is currently controlled by an identity thief, 2) the account is capable of unfreezing your Equifax credit report, and 3) that the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that they properly verify one's identity prior to lifting a freeze.Īdditionally, the account can also be used to obtain a copy of your consumer disclosure report, which under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the credit bureau can only supply if they reasonably believe that it is being requested by the consumer or an authorized representative or the requester has permissible purpose (neither of which apply to the identity thief). Select 'Place a Freeze' or 'Manage a Freeze.' You can place, temporarily lift, or permanently remove a freeze on your Equifax credit report. If you ask them to transfer the account to you, include in the letter a desired email address, phone number, and temporary password that they may use. Phone or mail: You can also call 88 or send a written request that includes your. In the case of Equifax, you'll probably have to send a letter to them by Certified Priority mail requesting that the account is either shut down or ownership is transferred to you. If you plan to unfreeze your credit, you can set it up as far as 15 days before you want it to happen.
In the case of Experian, you can call them and request that they "cancel" the account.