Equifax Follows TransUnion in National Credit Freeze

National credit bureau and consumer information provider Equifax will allow consumers to put a “freeze” on their credit reports nationwide, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper.

The move follows a similar announcement last week by TransUnion, another of the big three credit bureaus. The third major bureau, Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Experian has said it is monitoring the programs.

The freezes are designed to curtail crooks from using illegally obtained personal information to conduct identity theft on consumers. Thirty-nine states allow some form of a credit freeze though their policies aren’t uniform, according to the Consumers Union activist group.

TransUnion announced that a victim of identity theft for no charge could add, lift or remove a freeze on access to their credit file on a nationwide basis. Non-victims would pay $10 to add, lift or remove a national credit freeze. TransUnion will begin the freeze program on Oct. 15.

An Equifax spokesperson said details are still being finalized on pricing and the timing of the roll out of its program.