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Maine.gov > PFR Home > Consumer Credit Home Page > File Freeze Information

File Freeze Information

Maine Law permits all residents to impose a file freeze on their credit reports with the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). A freeze prevents all creditors (other than your current creditors) from accessing your credit report information.

If you are a victim of identity theft and have filed a police report, then the process or freezing your credit report files is free of charge. If you are not the victim of ID theft, then each credit reporting agency can charge you $10 to freeze your file, plus an additional $10 for a general "unfreezing" of your file or an additional $12 if you want to unfreeze your file so that only a specific creditor can view that file.

Click here to access the File Freeze request form (you'll need one for each credit reporting agency). The law states that such requests should be send by certified mail. Also enclosed is a copy of the Maine laws that permit you to freeze your files.

Click here for a downloadable brochure on Credit Bureaus and Credit Reports.

When you freeze your files, you will receive information back from the credit reporting agencies telling you how to manage your file, including changing creditors' access or canceling your freeze instructions.

Best wishes to you in this process. If you believe that the credit reporting agencies are not complying with their legal requirements, please write to us and we will contact those companies on your behalf. You may reach us at: Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, SHS 35, Augusta, ME 04333-0035.

 

Last Updated: April 18, 2008