You’ve probably frozen your credit reports at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Good. But identity thieves and fraudsters don’t stop at the three major credit bureaus. Three additional specialty consumer reporting agencies track your banking and telecom history — and most people have never heard of them, let alone frozen them.
The Three Specialty Reports to Freeze
1. ChexSystems
What it is: ChexSystems (owned by FIS/Fidelity National Information Services) is a consumer reporting agency that collects checking and savings account history from its member banks and credit unions. Banks query ChexSystems when you apply to open a new checking or savings account.
What it tracks: Bounced checks, unpaid overdrafts, accounts closed for cause, suspected check fraud, and identity fraud flags.
Who uses it: An estimated 80–90% of US banks and credit unions use ChexSystems in their account-opening process.
How to freeze it: Visit consumerdebit.com → Security Freeze → Place Security Freeze. Free, effective immediately.
How to get your free report: Request at consumerdebit.com or call 1-800-428-9623.
2. Early Warning Services (EWS)
What it is: Early Warning Services is co-owned by Bank of America, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, PNC, Truist, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo. It operates Zelle and also provides account screening data to its member banks.
What it tracks: Account history, fraud flags, and identity risk signals shared among member banks.
Who uses it: Primarily the major national banks that own EWS, plus other financial institutions that license its services.
How to freeze it: Visit earlywarning.com → Consumers → Security Freeze. Free, effective within 1 business day.
How to get your free report: Request at earlywarning.com or call 1-800-745-1560.
3. NCTUE (National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange)
What it is: NCTUE is operated by Equifax and collects payment and account history from telecom companies (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, Spectrum, Dish) and utility providers.
What it tracks: Payment history on phone plans, cable/internet accounts, and utility services.
Who uses it: Telecom companies when you apply for a new line without a credit check, utility companies when you start service at a new address, and some employers.
How to freeze it: Visit equifax.com → Credit Report Services → Manage Security Freeze → also freeze NCTUE separately. Free.
How to get your free report: Request via the Equifax consumer portal or call 1-866-343-2821.
Six-Freeze Checklist
| Report | Freeze URL | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax | equifax.com | 1-888-298-0045 |
| Experian | experian.com/freeze | 1-888-397-3742 |
| TransUnion | transunion.com/credit-freeze | 1-888-909-8872 |
| ChexSystems | consumerdebit.com | 1-800-428-9623 |
| Early Warning Services | earlywarning.com | 1-800-745-1560 |
| NCTUE | equifax.com | 1-866-343-2821 |
All six freezes are free under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (2018). All take effect immediately online.
When to Temporarily Lift a Freeze
Freezing doesn’t mean you can never open a new account. When you need to:
- Go to the relevant agency’s website
- Log in with your PIN/account
- Select “Lift Freeze” or “Temporarily Thaw”
- Choose a date range (e.g., lift for 3 days while you apply at a specific bank)
- Re-freeze after you’re done
The lift usually takes effect within minutes online. Plan ahead — if you’re opening a new bank account, call the bank first to find out which screening services they use so you know which freezes to lift.
After a Data Breach
If your personal information was exposed in a data breach:
- Place a fraud alert at one of the three major bureaus (they notify the others)
- Freeze all six reports listed above
- Request your free reports from all six to check for fraudulent accounts
- File an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov
For more on protecting your accounts, see how to protect your accounts from hackers and what to do if you lose your wallet.
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