{
 "id": "credit-freezes",
 "name": "Consumer file freezes and prescreen controls",
 "description": "Verified consumer-file control routes. A freeze restricts certain access; it does not delete public records, stop every permitted disclosure, or freeze a different company.",
 "scope": "Individually verified procedure routes for Equifax, Experian, The Work Number, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE), DataX, Clarity Services, TransUnion, ChexSystems, Innovis, NCTUE prescreen opt-out, OptOutPrescreen. This edition does not claim complete CFPB-directory coverage.",
 "version": "1.0",
 "published": "2026-10-24",
 "verified": "2026-10-24",
 "update_policy": "Recheck company procedures every six months and record changes. No freeze was placed or lifted as part of this research.",
 "columns": [
  {
   "key": "company",
   "label": "Company"
  },
  {
   "key": "file_type",
   "label": "File or control"
  },
  {
   "key": "action_url",
   "label": "Official action route"
  },
  {
   "key": "method",
   "label": "How to start"
  },
  {
   "key": "phone",
   "label": "Official phone"
  },
  {
   "key": "account_or_pin",
   "label": "Account or PIN"
  },
  {
   "key": "lift",
   "label": "How to lift"
  },
  {
   "key": "notes",
   "label": "Limits"
  }
 ],
 "changelog": [
  {
   "date": "2026-10-24",
   "change": "First research edition. Pending rows stay out of public exports."
  }
 ],
 "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
 "rows": [
  {
   "id": "equifax",
   "company": "Equifax",
   "file_type": "Nationwide credit",
   "action_url": "https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-lift-remove-security-freeze/",
   "method": "Online, phone or mail",
   "phone": "888-298-0045",
   "account_or_pin": "Free myEquifax account online",
   "lift": "Temporary lift or permanent removal",
   "notes": "",
   "source": "Equifax consumer instructions",
   "url": "https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/place-lift-remove-security-freeze/",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "experian",
   "company": "Experian",
   "file_type": "Nationwide credit",
   "action_url": "https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/",
   "method": "Online; phone and mail routes also listed",
   "phone": "888-397-3742",
   "account_or_pin": "Free Experian account; no PIN",
   "lift": "Schedule a thaw or permanently remove the freeze",
   "notes": "",
   "source": "Experian consumer instructions",
   "url": "https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "worknumber",
   "company": "The Work Number",
   "file_type": "Employment and income verification",
   "action_url": "https://employees.theworknumber.com/employee-data-freeze",
   "method": "Online, phone, mail or secure email",
   "phone": "800-367-2884",
   "account_or_pin": "Not independently verified",
   "lift": "Online, phone, mail or secure email",
   "notes": "A freeze can delay loan, employment or benefit verification.",
   "source": "The Work Number consumer instructions",
   "url": "https://employees.theworknumber.com/employee-data-freeze",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "lexisnexis",
   "company": "LexisNexis Risk Solutions",
   "file_type": "LexisNexis consumer disclosure reports",
   "action_url": "https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/freeze",
   "method": "Online, phone or mail",
   "phone": "800-456-1244",
   "account_or_pin": "PIN",
   "lift": "Temporary lift or permanent removal",
   "notes": "Exceptions can allow access. This does not delete public records or freeze other companies.",
   "source": "LexisNexis Risk Solutions consumer instructions",
   "url": "https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/freeze",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "nctue",
   "company": "National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE)",
   "file_type": "Telecommunications, pay TV and utility accounts",
   "action_url": "https://nctue.com/consumer/",
   "method": "Online, phone or mail",
   "phone": "866-349-5355",
   "account_or_pin": "Consumer portal account",
   "lift": "Temporary lift or permanent removal",
   "notes": "",
   "source": "National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE) consumer instructions",
   "url": "https://nctue.com/consumer/",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "datax",
   "company": "DataX",
   "file_type": "DataX credit report",
   "action_url": "https://consumers.dataxltd.com/consumerCreditFreeze",
   "method": "Online or mail",
   "phone": "",
   "account_or_pin": "Not independently verified",
   "lift": "Lift or remove the freeze",
   "notes": "DataX offers a separate consumer file control. Do not email identity documents.",
   "source": "DataX consumer instructions",
   "url": "https://consumers.dataxltd.com/consumerCreditFreeze",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "clarity",
   "company": "Clarity Services",
   "file_type": "Clarity credit file",
   "action_url": "https://www.clarityservices.com/support/security-freeze/",
   "method": "Online; mail, fax and phone also listed",
   "phone": "866-390-3118",
   "account_or_pin": "Not independently verified",
   "lift": "Temporary lift or permanent removal",
   "notes": "",
   "source": "Clarity Services consumer instructions",
   "url": "https://www.clarityservices.com/support/security-freeze/",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "transunion",
   "company": "TransUnion",
   "file_type": "Nationwide credit",
   "action_url": "https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze",
   "method": "Request directly online, by phone, or by mail",
   "phone": "",
   "account_or_pin": "Follow the current company instructions",
   "lift": "Permanently remove or temporarily lift through TransUnion",
   "notes": "Official route verified. No personal freeze request was tested. No unsupported timing or child eligibility is stated.",
   "source": "USAGov, How to place or lift a security freeze",
   "url": "https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "chexsystems",
   "company": "ChexSystems",
   "file_type": "Checking and savings account file",
   "action_url": "https://www.chexsystems.com/",
   "method": "Call the official freeze number or use the company website",
   "phone": "800-887-7652",
   "account_or_pin": "Follow the current company instructions",
   "lift": "Follow the current official lift instructions",
   "notes": "Official route verified. No personal freeze request was tested. No unsupported timing or child eligibility is stated.",
   "source": "Wisconsin DATCP, Credit Report Security Freeze",
   "url": "https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/IDTheftCreditReportFreeze632.aspx",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "innovis",
   "company": "Innovis",
   "file_type": "Credit report",
   "action_url": "https://www.innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze",
   "method": "Use the official online security-freeze route or call Innovis",
   "phone": "800-540-2505",
   "account_or_pin": "Follow the current company instructions",
   "lift": "Follow the current official lift instructions",
   "notes": "Official route verified. No personal freeze request was tested. No unsupported timing or child eligibility is stated.",
   "source": "North Dakota Attorney General, Credit Security Freeze",
   "url": "https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/consumer-resources/credit-security-freeze/",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "nctue-prescreen",
   "company": "NCTUE prescreen opt-out",
   "file_type": "Preapproved-offer lists",
   "action_url": "https://nctue.com/consumer/",
   "method": "Call NCTUE or mail its opt-out request",
   "phone": "888-327-4376",
   "account_or_pin": "Not applicable",
   "lift": "Contact NCTUE about opting in",
   "notes": "This control covers use of NCTUE data in prescreen lists, not all marketing or public records.",
   "source": "NCTUE consumer FAQ",
   "url": "https://nctue.com/consumer/",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  },
  {
   "id": "optoutprescreen",
   "company": "OptOutPrescreen",
   "file_type": "Prescreened credit and insurance offers",
   "action_url": "https://www.optoutprescreen.com/",
   "method": "Online five-year opt-out; mail the permanent election form for a permanent opt-out",
   "phone": "",
   "account_or_pin": "Follow the current company instructions",
   "lift": "Use the official opt-in route",
   "notes": "Official route verified. No personal freeze request was tested. No unsupported timing or child eligibility is stated.",
   "source": "Equifax, Pros and Cons of Pre-Screened Credit Card Offers",
   "url": "https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit-cards/articles/-/learn/pros-and-cons-of-pre-screened-credit-card-offers/",
   "checked_on": "2026-10-24"
  }
 ]
}