TL;DR: The big three bureaus get all the attention, but criminals can also exploit smaller files: ChexSystems (bank accounts), NCTUE (phone, pay-TV and utility accounts), Innovis (credit), LexisNexis (which now includes SageStream) and Clarity Services (personal and auto title loans). Each offers a free security freeze online, by phone or by mail. Freeze the big three first, then add these, especially if your Social Security number has leaked. Save every PIN and confirmation page: ChexSystems and NCTUE need a PIN to lift the freeze, and an NCTUE lift can take up to three business days.
Why bother with the small ones?
A freeze at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion blocks most new credit. But not every company checks the big three:
- some banks check ChexSystems before opening a checking or savings account;
- many mobile carriers and utilities check NCTUE;
- some lenders use Innovis, LexisNexis or Clarity reports.
As security journalist Brian Krebs reported, freezes aren’t shared between agencies. Equifax told him that a consumer "would need to independently place and lift a freeze with NCTUE." A fraudster who can open a bank account or phone contract in your name can use it to launder money, take over your number or run up debts.
How to freeze each one
| Bureau | Used for | How to freeze | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChexSystems | Checking and savings account history | ChexSystems Consumer Portal ("Place a Security Freeze") | 800-428-9623 |
| NCTUE | Phone, pay-TV, home security and utility accounts | nctue.com/consumer | 866-349-5355 |
| Innovis | Consumer credit | innovis.com security freeze page | 1-866-712-4546 |
| LexisNexis Risk Solutions (incl. SageStream) | Consumer disclosure and SageStream reports | LexisNexis consumer security freeze form | 1-800-456-1244 |
| Clarity Services (Experian) | Personal loans and auto title loans | Clarity consumer security freeze form | 866-390-3118 |
Contact details for ChexSystems, Innovis, LexisNexis and Clarity come from Clark Howard’s guide to smaller bureaus; NCTUE’s come from Experian.
Mail addresses
- ChexSystems: Chex Systems, Inc., Attn: Security Freeze Department, PO Box 583399, Minneapolis, MN 55458
- NCTUE: Security Freeze, Exchange Service Center, NCTUE, P.O. Box 105561, Atlanta, GA 30348
- LexisNexis: LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center, Attn: Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105108, Atlanta, GA 30348-5108
Bureau by bureau: what to expect
ChexSystems
According to Experian’s ChexSystems guide:
- you register for a Consumer Portal account with your name, date of birth, SSN, address and an ID number, then answer security questions;
- ChexSystems freezes your report within 24 hours;
- adding, removing or lifting the freeze is free, and it doesn’t affect your credit score;
- you get a PIN (in the portal or by mail) that you need to lift the freeze, change details, request your report or dispute errors. Lost it? Request a replacement online or by mail.
A ChexSystems report can include closed accounts, bounced checks, overdrawn accounts and your check-ordering history, which is exactly what a bank reviews when you apply.
NCTUE
NCTUE (the National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange) collects account data from telecom, pay-TV, home security and utility companies. Krebs reported that Equifax runs the NCTUE database as a contractor, though Equifax says NCTUE is a separate entity.
From Experian:
- the freeze is free;
- after freezing online, download the confirmation page, because it holds the PIN you’ll need to lift the freeze;
- you can lift it temporarily, for specific companies (using one-time codes), or permanently;
- NCTUE warns a temporary lift can take up to three business days, and requests may not work outside business hours. Plan ahead before switching phone carriers or moving home.
LexisNexis and SageStream
SageStream is now part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions. A LexisNexis freeze blocks release of your LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure Report, your SageStream Consumer Report and your score without your authorisation.
Innovis and Clarity
Innovis is a smaller consumer credit bureau that some lenders check alongside the big three. Clarity Services, owned by Experian, is used for personal and auto title loans. Both offer free freezes online, by phone or by mail.
The trade-off
Freezing ChexSystems means a bank may not be able to open an account for you until you lift it. Freezing NCTUE can slow down a new phone contract or utility connection. Both are small hassles when you switch providers, and big obstacles for someone pretending to be you.
Keep a simple record: which bureaus, the date, the PIN or login, and how to lift each one. Here’s how lifting works at the big three.
Who should do this
- anyone whose full SSN appeared in a breach (sadly, a lot of people after National Public Data);
- victims of synthetic or new-account fraud;
- anyone whose mobile number was hijacked or ported out without permission;
- anyone who wants free, belt-and-braces protection.
Start with the big three
If you haven’t frozen Equifax, Experian and TransUnion yet, do that first: how to freeze your credit. The FTC explains how freezes and fraud alerts differ. Then check how exposed your email is with a free email exposure check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze ChexSystems?
Yes, free, through the ChexSystems Consumer Portal, by phone at 800-428-9623 or by mail. It may block new bank accounts until you lift it.
What is NCTUE and should I freeze it?
NCTUE holds account data from phone, pay-TV, home security and utility companies. Many carriers check it, so a freeze helps block phone accounts opened in your name.
How long does it take to lift an NCTUE freeze?
NCTUE warns a temporary lift can take up to three business days, so plan ahead.
Is SageStream still a separate bureau?
SageStream is now part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions. A LexisNexis freeze covers the SageStream report.
Do freezes at the big three cover these bureaus?
No. Each agency is separate, so you have to freeze and lift each one yourself.
What happens if I lose my ChexSystems PIN?
You can request a replacement PIN online or by mail.
Sources
- Clark.com: How to freeze your credit at smaller bureaus
- Experian: How to freeze your ChexSystems report
- Experian: How to freeze and unfreeze your NCTUE report
- KrebsOnSecurity: Another credit freeze target, NCTUE.com
- FTC: What to know about credit freezes and fraud alerts