Security Freeze on Credit Available Free of Charge

The recently enacted Financial Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Protection Act (FIFITPA) enables South Carolina consumers to place a security freeze on their credit report free of charge.
Placing a freeze on your credit report prevents anyone from accessing it without your permission, reducing the risk of identity theft. Freezing your credit will not affect your credit score or rating and is completely free of charge.

Consumers considering freezing their credit report will still enjoy fast access to their report. You can temporarily “thaw” or permanently remove the freeze at any time, for any reason. Access to the report must be granted by the credit reporting agency within 15 minutes of your request.
To place a freeze on your credit report, you must contact each of the credit reporting agencies by either certified mail, telephone, or through their website. The credit reporting agency has up to 10 days to provide you with a PIN that will enable you to thaw or permanently lift the freeze as necessary.

Equifax
Phone: 1-800-685-1111
Mail: Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
Website: www.freeze.equifax.com

Experian
Phone: 1-800-972-0322
Mail: P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Website: www.experian.com/freeze

Transunion
Phone: 1-888-909-8872
Mail: P.O. Box 6790
Fullterton, CA 92834
Website: https://annualcreditreport.transunion.com/fa/securityFreeze/landing

For more information about FIFITPA or credit report freezes, contact the Public Information Division at 803.734.4190, toll free in SC at 1.800.922.1594, or online at www.scconsumer.gov.