MULTI-BUREAU CREDIT FILE FREEZE AND UNFREEZE

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/541,835, filed on Aug. 14, 2009 which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Number 61/088,905, filed on Aug. 14, 2008, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to credit files. More specifically, this disclosure relates to locking and unlocking credit files.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Credit bureaus provide consumers with the ability to lock or unlock, also referred to as freezing and thawing, respectively, their credit files in order to prevent information in a credit file from being accessed. When the file is unlocked, information in the file can be accessed, for example by creditors that wish to perform credit checks.

[0006] Typically, a consumer provides information to a credit bureau that confirms their identity, as well as possibly a lock/unlock identifier (e.g., a number or alphanumeric code) in order to initiate locking or unlocking of their credit file. Unfortunately, this can be inconvenient because the consumer may need to memorize a separate identifier that is provided by the credit bureau for each credit bureau that maintains a credit file for the consumer. Moreover, if the consumer forgets an identifier he or she may need to request a new identifier by, for example, phone or certified mail from the credit bureau, which can result in a delay in locking their file. Additionally, when the consumer wishes to unlock their file they may need to wait a specified period of time, often three days, for the file to be unlocked. Besides imposing risks to a consumer's credit file, these delays may cause lenders, such as those looking to provide instant credit, to lose out on credit opportunities.

[0007] In merchant environments, such as department stores, credit file locking and unlocking can be especially problematic. For example, a store may offer a credit card to a consumer at a point of sale. The consumer may decide that applying for the store card is not worthwhile because their credit file is locked and unlocking the file will take significant time and effort (e.g., the consumer may be required to call each of one or more credit bureaus and provide credit bureau specific credit file unlock codes to each credit bureau, and the credit unlocks may require significant time periods for implementation by respective credit bureaus). Alternatively, a consumer may apply for the store card using the credit application process, only to discover that their credit file is locked. In this situation, the consumer may then decide not to proceed further with the application process because additional effort will be needed to unlock their file. As a result, merchants may lose out on significant sales and credit opportunities.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to credit file locking and unlocking. In some embodiments, a system that implements a multi-bureau service for locking and unlocking credit files is disclosed. The systems and methods described herein may also be used to simplify request of other changes to a consumer's credit file at each of multiple credit bureaus, such as freezing and unfreezing credit files, and setting fraud alerts on a consumer's credit file. The service may allow a consumer to provide identifying information, such as a personal identifier (PID), which may include a numeric or alphanumeric personal identification number (PIN), using, for example, a mobile device, RFID tag, or token, to lock or unlock credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus over a network. Alternatively, a consumer may provide other identifying information, such as a fingerprint or other biometric data to identify themselves and/or provide the necessary PIN to initiate locking/unlocking of their credit file. Upon receiving the identifying information, the system may authenticate the identity of the consumer that wishes to lock or unlock the credit files. In some embodiments, the system may then use the identifying information to search a data structure, such as a database or table, that stores lock or unlock information associated with the consumer and associates each consumer with information regarding locking and/or unlocking the consumer's credit files with each of multiple credit bureaus. The system may then use the lock or unlock information to automatically initiate locking or unlocking of credit files for the consumer at the respective credit bureaus.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be particularly advantageous in merchant environments. For example, in point of sale environments a consumer may enter identifying information, such as a PID, into a keypad to unlock their credit file. In response to receiving the identifying information, the system can unlock the consumer's credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus in real-time or near real-time. By providing consumers with a simplified interface and an expedient mechanism for unlocking their credit files, the system can increase credit opportunities for the merchant.

[0010] In one embodiment, a computer system configured to manage access of consumer credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus comprises a processor, a network interface, and a computer readable storage medium configured to store a data structure having personal identifiers for each of a plurality of consumers and, for at least some of the personal identifiers, a plurality of access codes associated with respective credit bureaus, wherein the access codes are usable to lock or unlock credit files associated with the respective consumer at the respective credit bureaus. In one embodiment, the computer system further comprises a credit file locking module for execution by the processor in order to cause the computer system to receive personal identifiers from respective consumers via the network interface, receive access codes for respective credit files of the respective consumers via the network interface, store the received personal identifiers and the received access codes in the data structure so that the personal identifiers are associated with the access codes of the respective consumers, and in response to receiving a request to lock or unlock one or more credit files associated with a particular consumer, the request comprising the personal identifier of the particular consumer, translate the personal identifier into access codes of the particular consumer based on the data structure, and initiate transmission of the access codes of the particular consumer to the respective credit bureau.

[0011] In one embodiment, a computerized method for allowing a consumer to lock or unlock credit information at a plurality of credit bureaus, the method being configured for execution by at least one computing device, comprises receiving information comprising a personal identifier from a consumer, storing the personal identifier in a data structure in a computer readable storage medium, receiving a plurality of access codes associated with respective credit bureaus, wherein the access codes are usable to lock or unlock associated credit information at the respective credit bureau, and storing the access codes in the data structure, wherein the access codes are associated with the personal identifier of the consumer. In one embodiment, the method further comprises receiving a request to allow access to credit information of the consumer, the request comprising the personal identifier, determining the access codes associated with the personal identifier as stored in the data structure, and initiating transmission of the associated access codes to each of the respective credit bureaus to allow access to the credit information of the consumer at the respective credit bureaus.

[0012] In one embodiment, a computer system configured to manage access of consumer credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus comprises a processor, a network interface, means for translating a personal identifier of a consumer into a plurality of associated access codes, wherein the access codes are usable to lock or unlock credit files associated with the consumer at respective credit bureaus, and means for initiating transmission of the access codes to the respective credit bureaus.

[0013] In one embodiment, a computer readable medium stores software instructions that are readable by a computing system, wherein the software code is executable on the computing system in order to cause the computing system to perform a method that comprises receiving a personal identifier of a consumer from a computing device, determining access codes associated with the personal identifier based on a data structure stored in a computer readable storage device, wherein each access code is associated with a credit file of the consumer at a respective credit bureau, and initiating transmission of the access codes to the respective credit bureaus to initiate locking or unlocking of the credit information of the associated consumer at the respective credit bureaus.

[0014] In one embodiment, a computerized method for allowing a consumer to lock or unlock credit information at a plurality of credit bureaus, the method being configured for execution by at least one computing device, comprises storing a plurality of access codes associated with respective credit bureaus in a data structure, wherein the access codes are usable to lock or unlock associated credit information at the respective credit bureau and the access codes are associated with a personal identifier of a consumer, receiving a request to allow access to credit information of the consumer, the request comprising the personal identifier, and determining the access codes associated with the personal identifier as stored in the data structure.

[0024] The present disclosure generally relates to credit file locking and unlocking. In one embodiment, a system that implements a credit file locking service is disclosed. In contrast to existing frameworks where credit files of consumers at multiple credit bureaus are locked or unlocked separately, the systems and methods described herein allow consumers to lock or unlock their credit files at multiple credit bureaus in real-time or near real-time. Additionally, the systems and methods in the present disclosure may be used with a fraud alert. In one embodiment, if a fraud alert is placed on a consumer's credit file, each time a third party, for example a merchant, requests access to the consumer's credit file a credit bureau sends notice to the requesting third party that the third party should take steps to verify the identity of the party requesting credit prior to extending credit in the name of the consumer on the requested credit report. For example, the consumer may be contacted with a request for permission to allow the third party to access the credit file for purposed of determining eligibility for a credit account, for example. The systems and methods disclosed herein may permit the consumer to allow access to the consumer's credit files at multiple credit bureaus, such as in response to a fraud alert inquiry, in a single reply.

[0025] In an illustrative embodiment, a consumer may provide one or more personal identifier (also referred to herein as “PID”) to a multi-bureau freeze device, for example over a computer network. As used herein, a PID may comprise any personal identifier, including without limitation a name, an address, a phone number, a date of birth, a maiden name, a social security number, an account number, a driver's license number, a password, a RFID tag or token, biometric data, such as a fingerprint, and/or a personal identification number (also referred to herein as a “PIN” or a PIN code”), which may comprise a sequence of numerals, a sequence of alphanumeric characters, or any combination of personal identifiers. A consumer selected PID may indicate that the consumer has selected the type of data in the PID (e.g., a consumer selects a PID that is a password, a PIN, or a fingerprint) and/or that the consumer has selected the content of the PID (e.g., the consumer selects the particular password or PIN or provides a fingerprint). A consumer selected PID may advantageously be easier for the consumer to remember and/or provide to a requesting entity or device

[0026] A consumer may provide the PID using a computing device, such as, for example, a mobile device, a keypad, a card reader, or a biometric data reader. A multi-bureau freeze device may then validate the identity of the consumer using the PID provided. After verifying the identity of the consumer, the multi-bureau freeze device may initiate unlocking or locking of the consumer's credit files at each of a plurality of credit bureaus. In one embodiment, the credit files may be unlocked or locked for a predetermined period of time, and the predetermined period of time may be specified by the consumer.

[0027] Some embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may allow merchants to increase credit opportunities, especially in point of sale environments. For example, a merchant can request a consumer to enter a PID, such as a PIN code, into a keypad (e.g., a credit card reader keypad). After the consumer enters a PID, the consumer's credit files can be unlocked in real-time or in near real-time, and the merchant may then receive copies of the consumer's credit files from a plurality of credit bureaus. Similarly, the consumer may be able to quickly and easily lock their credit files after the desired credit pulls have occurred by entry of their PID. Thus, the system may increase credit opportunities for merchants and other financial service providers of mortgages, automobile loans, credit card accounts, and the like by allowing them to access credit files quickly.

[0028] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.

[0029] FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a multi-bureau freeze device 100 that is in communication with a consumer computing device 162 and a plurality of credit bureaus 164 (including credit bureaus 164A, 164B, 164N that are representative of any quantity of credit bureaus) via a network 160. Generally, the credit bureaus 164 comprise one or more computing systems that gather and make available information about how consumers use credit, such as a credit score or credit report, for example.

[0030] FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a multi-bureau freeze device 100B that is in communication with a point of sale device 170 and the plurality of credit bureaus 164A, 164B, through 164N via the network 160. FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a multi-bureau freeze device 100C that is in communication with a plurality of credit bureaus, including credit bureaus 164A, 164B, 164C, 164D, through 164N, and a computing device 172 via a network 160. The computing device 172 may be associated with any entity, for example a consumer, a retailer, an account provider, etc. The client computing device 162, point of sale device 170, and computing device 172 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C may each comprise one or more computing system, mobile device, keypad, card reader, biometric data reader, or other device that allows a user, such as a consumer, merchant, bank, etc., to exchange information with the multi-bureau freeze device 100. In particular, the client computing device 162 or the computing device 172 may allow the consumer to register for the credit file locking service. In addition, the client computing device 162, the point of sale device 170, and/or the computing device 172 may allow the consumer to unlock or lock credit files at multiple credit bureaus by communicating with the multi-bureau freeze device 100. In a merchant environment, such as a department store, the point of sale device 170 or the computing device 172 may include a keypad, such as a keypad associated with a credit card reader at a store checkout, that allows a consumer to enter in information to unlock (or lock) their credit files at the plurality of credit bureaus 164 nearly instantaneously and using a simplified process.

[0031] The multi-bureau freeze devices 100 may be used to implement certain systems and methods described herein. For example, in one embodiment the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may be configured to implement a credit file freeze or lock and/or a credit file thaw or unlock process. The functionality provided for in the components and modules of the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may be combined into fewer components and modules or further separated into additional components and modules. As used herein, reference to the multi-bureau freeze device 100, or simply to the device 100, refers generally to any one of the computing device 100A, 100B, and 100C, to the extent that the device 100A, 100B, and/or 100C includes the component or modules discussed with reference to device 100. Each of the devices 100A, 100B, and 100C include unique components or modules and/or combinations of components or modules and, therefore, each represents a separate embodiment that may operate without regard to the differing components or modules of the other systems described herein.

[0032] The multi-bureau freeze device 100 may include, for example, a computing system, such as a personal computer that is IBM, Macintosh, or Linux/Unix compatible. In one embodiment, the computing device comprises one or more servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants, and/or kiosks, for example. In one embodiment, the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 include a central processing unit (“CPU”) 105, which may include one or more conventional microprocessors. The multi-bureau freeze devices 100s may further include a memory 130, such as random access memory (“RAM”), a flash memory, and/or a read only memory (“ROM”), and a mass storage device 120, such as one or more hard drives, diskettes, and/or optical media storage devices. Typically, the components and modules of the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 are connected using a standards based bus system. In different embodiments, the standards based bus system could be Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Microchannel, SCSI, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA) and Extended ISA (EISA) architectures, for example.

[0033] The multi-bureau freeze devices 100 are generally controlled and coordinated by operating system software, such as Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Linux, SunOS, Solaris, or other compatible operating systems. In Macintosh systems, the operating system may be any available operating system, such as MAC OS X. In other embodiments, the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 may be controlled by a proprietary operating system. Conventional operating systems control and schedule computer processes for execution, perform memory management, provide file system, networking, and I/O services, and provide a user interface, such as a graphical user interface (“GUI”), among other things.

[0034] The illustrative multi-bureau freeze devices 100 may include one or more commonly available input/output (I/O) devices and interfaces 110, such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and printer. In one embodiment, the I/O devices and interfaces 110 include one or more display devices, such as a monitor, that allows the visual presentation of data to a user. More particularly, a display device provides for the presentation of GUIs, application software data, and multimedia presentations, for example. The multi-bureau freeze devices 100 may also include one or more multimedia devices 140, such as speakers, video cards, graphics accelerators, and microphones, for example.

[0035] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the I/O devices and interfaces 110 provide a communication interface to various external devices. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 are coupled to a network 160 that comprises any combination of one or more of a LAN, WAN, or the Internet, for example, via a wired, wireless, or combination of wired and wireless, communication link 115. The network 160 communicates with various computing devices and/or other electronic devices via wired or wireless communication links.

[0036] In the illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 include, or may be coupled to, for example via a network connection, a device that includes a PID translation data structure 166 that includes lock or unlock information that associates one or more particular consumers with access codes for locking and/or unlocking a particular consumer's credit files at each of a plurality of credit bureaus. The PID translation data structure 166 may be implemented in any suitable format, including objects, tables, arrays, hash tables, linked lists, and/or trees. The PID translation data structure 166 may be implemented and stored in a database. As used herein, a database may comprise a relational database, such as Sybase, Oracle, CodeBase and Microsoft® SQL Server as well as other types of databases such as, for example, a flat file database, an entity-relationship database, an object-oriented database, and/or a record-based database. The data structure 166 may be stored in any computer readable medium, including a hard drive, a random-access memory, an optical disc, a tape drive, and/or a diskette. The information stored by the PID translation data structure 166 may include a consumer PID that may be selected by a consumer. The consumer PID is associated with multiple credit bureau specific access codes that are associated with the consumer's credit file at respective credit bureaus and that are configured to initiate locking or unlocking of the consumer's credit files at the respective credit bureaus 164. In addition to the components and devices that are illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may be connected to other data structures that store access codes for consumer credit files and/or other computing devices through a bus or network 160.

[0037] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 also include application modules that may be executed by the CPU 105. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the application modules include the consumer registration module 150 and the credit file locking module 155, which are discussed in further detail below. The embodiment of FIG. 1C includes the credit file locking module 155.

[0038] In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, possibly having entry and exit points, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, Lua, C, C++, or C#. A software module may be compiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamic link library, or may be written in an interpreted programming language such as, for example, BASIC, Perl, or Python. Software modules may include, by way of example, components, such as class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, tables, arrays, and variables. It will be appreciated that software modules may be callable from other modules or from themselves, and/or may be invoked in response to detected events or interrupts. Software instructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be further appreciated that hardware modules may be comprised of connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and/or may be comprised of programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein are preferably implemented as software modules, but may be represented in hardware or firmware. Generally, the modules described herein refer to logical modules that may be combined with other modules or divided into sub-modules despite their physical organization or storage. When executed by the multi-bureau freeze devices 100, modules may allow the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 to perform operations, such as storing data, accessing stored data, modifying stored data, communicating with other computing devices and systems, and other operations described herein. For ease of explanation, the modules may be referred to as performing an operation or a method, even though other systems and/or components of the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may actually perform the operation or method in response to executing software of a module, for example.

[0039] In the embodiments described herein, the multi-bureau freeze devices 100A and 100B are configured to execute the consumer registration module 150, among other modules, in order to create a single point of service for consumers to freeze and thaw their credit files at multiple credit bureaus 164A-N. For example, in one embodiment, the consumer registration module 150 allows a consumer to set up the file locking service by creating an account. The consumer registration module 150 may request a consumer to provide enrollment information, including information that verifies their identity, in order to register the consumer, such as a name, driver's license number, address, social security number, birth date, phone number, account number, and the like. The consumer registration module 150 may then request the consumer to select a consumer PID. When the consumer PID is later provided to the multi-bureau freeze device 100, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may initiate locking or unlocking of credit files of the consumer at a plurality of credit bureaus 164A-N using access codes associated with the consumer's credit files at respective credit bureaus.

[0040] The consumer registration module 150 may further be configured to send requests to the plurality of credit bureaus 164 to obtain access codes and/or other information about unlocking or locking credit files of a registering consumer. In one embodiment, the consumer registration module 150 may automatically register the consumer at the plurality of credit bureaus 164 and receive the respective access codes for locking/unlocking the consumer's credit files at those credit bureaus 164. In one embodiment, an access code authenticates the identity of the consumer at a particular credit bureau for credit file locking or unlocking. The consumer registration module 150 may store these credit bureau specific access codes in the PID translation data structure 166 and associate some or all of the credit bureau specific access codes of a consumer with the consumer PID of the consumer.

[0041] The multi-bureau freeze devices 100 may also execute the credit file locking module 155 to provide a simplified mechanism or interface to lock or unlock credit files at the plurality of credit bureaus 164A-N. In one embodiment, the credit file locking module 155 can receive a consumer PID that is inputted by a consumer from consumer computing device 162, point of sale device 170, or other device. After receiving the consumer PID, the credit file locking module 155 may access the PID translation data structure to translate the received consumer PID into access codes corresponding to multiple respective credit bureaus. The access codes may then be sent over the network 160 to corresponding respective credit bureaus 164 to lock or unlock one or more credit files of the consumer.

[0042] In some embodiments, when the multi-bureau freeze devices 100 are operated or associated with one or more of the credit bureaus 164, the consumer PID may be used to lock or unlock credit files without any translation. This may be particularly advantageous in reducing processing time that may otherwise be expended to translate a consumer PID into lock or unlock information.

[0043] FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a PID translation data structure, for example the PID translation data structure 166 of FIG. 1. As shown, the PID translation data structure 166 may include enrollment information 210 associated with a consumer, such as a name and an address, for example. The PID translation data structure may also include various consumer PIDs 220 associated with the enrollment information of respective consumers that authenticate a consumer's identity to the multi-bureau freeze device 100. In the illustrated embodiment, a consumer PID comprises a consumer-selected PID, in particular a PIN. In addition, the PID translation data structure 166 further includes access codes 230 that can be used to lock or unlock credit files of the associated consumer at respective credit bureaus. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the access codes include PINs. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, once a particular consumer is identified in the PID translation data structure, e.g., by locating a consumer PID received from a merchant POS device in the data structure, the access codes for each of multiple credit bureaus are identified and may be used to initiate locking/unlocking of the consumer's credit files without further involvement from the consumer.

[0044] FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of a PID translation data structure that is implemented using linked lists. As shown, the PID translation data structure includes a linked list of consumer PID links 250. Each consumer PID link 250 indicates the consumer PID for a consumer, including Consumer 1 and Consumer 2. Furthermore, each consumer PID link 250 is linked to a list of access code links 260. In other embodiments, the PIDs 250 and corresponding access codes for respective credit bureaus may be stored in any other data structure, such as a database or a table, for example. In the embodiment shown, each access code link 260 comprises access codes for a consumer for the respective credit bureau. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, access codes corresponding to different credit bureaus and/or different consumers may include different types of information. Some non-limiting examples of different access codes are shown in FIG. 2B. The access codes corresponding to credit bureau 1 include an access code that comprises biometric data for respective consumers. The access codes corresponding to credit bureau 2 include access codes that each comprise an alphanumeric character sequence. The alphanumeric character sequence for one consumer does not need to be the same length as the alphanumeric character sequence for another consumer, as shown by the different sample access codes for Consumers 1 and 2 in FIG. 2B.

[0045] The access codes associated with a credit bureau do not need to comprise the same type of access code information, as shown by the access codes corresponding to credit bureau 3. One access code corresponding to credit bureau 3 comprises a numeric PIN, and another access code comprises biometric data. Also, an access code link may not itself comprise the access code, but may instead include a reference, such as a pointer, to a location of an access code. In FIG. 2B, the access code link corresponding to credit bureau 4 includes a reference to a file that stores an encrypted access code, such as an XML file, for example. To enhance access code security, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may receive and store an encrypted access code from a credit bureau, and only the credit bureau may have the decryption key for the access code. Alternatively, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may encrypt a received access code and store the encrypted access code.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method of registering a user account for the credit file locking/unlocking service. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the blocks described below may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of the blocks may be altered. The illustrative method may be stored as a process that is accessible by the consumer registration module 150 and/or other modules or components of the multi-bureau freeze device 100. The method, including each block of the method, may be implemented by computing systems and devices, including the multi-bureau freeze device 100. For ease of explanation, rather than by way of limitation, the following description will use the multi-bureau freeze device 100 as an example of a computing device that may implement the method.

[0047] Beginning in block 310, enrollment information from a consumer is received and verified. The enrollment information may include various types of information that may identify the consumer, such as a name, social security number, date of birth, etc., including the types of information discussed above. As those of skill in the art will recognize, the specific criteria for being categorized as identifying a consumer may vary greatly and may be based on a variety of possible data types. The enrollment information can be verified by checking the enrollment information provided against a database that includes personal information about consumers. The enrollment information may be received though I/O Devices and Interfaces 110 of a multi-bureau freeze device 100, such as enrollment information entered through a web browser and transmitted through the network or enrollment information received from an I/O device. The enrollment information may be stored in a memory 130 and/or a mass storage device 120.

[0048] Moving to block 320, a consumer PID that is selected by the consumer to lock or unlock their credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus is received. The consumer PID may then be stored, for example in the PID translation data structure 166. In one embodiment, the consumer may provide the selected consumer PID to the multi-bureau freeze device through a browser, through an I/O device, or through a hard copy that may be analyzed by a computing device using optical character recognition. Alternatively, the consumer PID may be assigned to the consumer, for example by the multi-bureau freeze device or by an employee associated with an entity that operates the multi-bureau freeze device 100.

[0049] Moving to block 330, information regarding locking and/or unlocking credit files of the consumer from multiple credit bureaus is requested. For example, requests may be sent to credit bureaus for lock or unlock information, such as an access code, that enables locking or unlocking of the consumer's credit files at the respective credit bureau. The requests may automatically register the consumer with one or more of the credit bureaus. For example, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may initiate transmission of enrollment information of a consumer to computing systems associated with respective credit bureaus and/or may initiate transmission of a request for lock or unlock information to the credit bureaus.

[0050] Continuing to block 340, credit bureau lock and unlock information, such as access codes, are received from the credit bureaus and stored in a translation data structure (e.g., the PID translation data structure) where the access codes are associated with the consumer PID. For example, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may receive the access codes from computing devices associated with respective credit bureaus via the network and store the access codes in the PID translation data structure.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method of locking or unlocking credit files at multiple credit bureaus. The illustrative method may be stored as a process accessible by the credit file locking module 155 and/or other modules or components of the multi-bureau freeze device 100. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the blocks described below may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of the blocks may be altered. The method illustrated by FIG. 4 may be implemented by various computing systems and devices, including a multi-bureau freeze device 100. For ease of explanation, rather than by way of limitation, the following description will use the multi-bureau freeze device 100 as an example of a computing device that may implement the method.

[0052] Beginning in block 410, a consumer PID is received from a consumer or merchant system and verified. Once received, the consumer PID may be checked against a data source, such as PID translation data structure 166 or some other data structure that associates access codes for locking and/or unlocking consumer credit files with consumer identifiers, to further authenticate the identity of the consumer. For example, a multi-bureau freeze device 100 may receive a consumer PID from a consumer or merchant system via a network 160 and store the received PID in a memory 130 or a mass storage device 120. The multi-bureau freeze device may access information in the PID translation data structure 166 to further authenticate the identity of the consumer.

[0053] Moving to block 420, the consumer PID is translated into lock or unlock information, such as access codes, for each of multiple respective credit bureaus. The plurality of access codes can be used to authenticate the consumer at each of the credit bureaus and/or initiate locking or locking of the consumer's credit files at the respective credit bureau. In one embodiment, the lock or unlock information is associated with the consumer PID and stored in the PID translation data structure 166. For example, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may access a PID translation data structure to determine a plurality of access codes associated with a received consumer PID. A skilled artisan will recognize that the identification information can be translated to a plurality of access codes using a query language, such as SQL.

[0054] Moving to block 430, locking or unlocking of the requesting consumer's credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus using the respective access codes is initiated. In one embodiment, the access codes are sent to respective credit bureaus by the multi-bureau freeze device 100 indicating a request for the credit files of the consumer to be locked or unlocked at the respective credit bureaus. The access codes may be electronically transmitted to the respective credit bureaus in real-time or substantially in real-time.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example flow of data between computing systems and devices to lock and/or unlock credit files at multiple credit bureaus. As shown, the data flows between a consumer or point of sale device 500, a multi-bureau freeze device 100, and a plurality of credit bureaus computing systems 164A, 164 B, and 164C. In other embodiments, the flow of data may include fewer or additional blocks and the blocks may be performed in a different order than is illustrated and discussed with reference to FIG. 5.

[0056] In FIG. 5, a consumer or point of sale device 500 transmits a consumer PID to the multi-bureau freeze device 100. In response to receiving the consumer PID, the multi-bureau freeze device 100 may search a PID translation data structure 166 for a plurality of access codes associated with the consumer PID that lock or unlock credit files at corresponding credit bureaus.

[0057] After the plurality of access codes are retrieved, for example from the PID translation data structure 166, the access codes are sent to respective credit bureaus 164A, 164B, and 164C. The plurality of credit bureaus 164 may then lock or unlock the credit files of the corresponding consumer in response to authenticating the request to lock or unlock the consumer's credit file in view of the received respective access code. In other embodiments (not shown), the credit bureaus 164 may then transmit credit information, such as a credit score or report, that are associated with the corresponding consumer to the multi-bureau freeze device 100. The credit information can then be forwarded to the consumer or point of sale device 500.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method of translating a consumer PID into multiple access codes, unlocking credit files at multiple credit bureaus using the access codes, and relocking the credit files. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the blocks described below may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of the blocks may be altered. The method illustrated by FIG. 6 may be implemented by various computing systems and devices, including a multi-bureau freeze device 100 or any subset of the components thereof. For ease of explanation, rather than by way of limitation, the following description refers to the multi-bureau freeze device 100 as an example of a computing device that may implement the method. The illustrative method may be stored as a process accessible by the credit file locking module 155 and/or other modules or components of the multi-bureau freeze device 100.

[0059] Beginning in block 610, a consumer PID is received from a computing device associated with a merchant (or other computing device). Moving to block 620, the consumer PID is translated into a plurality of access codes for respective credit bureaus. First, the received PID may be checked against a data source to verify the identity of the consumer. For example, a multi-bureau freeze device 100 may receive a consumer PID from a point of sale device 170 and verify the consumer PID by accessing data in a PID translation data structure or in other lock or unlock information data sources. Next, the consumer PID is translated into the plurality of access codes.

[0060] For example, a consumer PID may be received for consumer 1. The PID for consumer 1 may then be translated into three access codes, one access code corresponding to each of credit bureaus 1, 2, and 3. The PID of consumer 1 may be translated into the plurality of access codes using a PID translation data structure. For example, the multi-bureau freeze device may access the PID translation data structure and determine the access codes associated with the PID of consumer 1 in the PID translation data structure.

[0061] Moving to block 630, the access codes are provided to the respective credit bureaus. For example, the multi-bureau freeze device may initiate transmission of the access codes to the credit bureaus 164 via the network. In block 640 the credit bureaus may unlock the consumer credit file associated with the access code received by the respective credit bureau.

[0062] Moving to block 650, the merchant accesses one or more unlocked credit files from the credit bureaus. Depending on the embodiment, the merchant, for example through a computing device, may receive a credit file directly from one or more of the credit bureaus. Alternatively, one or more credit files may be provided to the multi-bureau freeze device 100 which may then provide the credit files to the merchant.

[0063] Moving to block 660, a consumer PID is received again, though in some embodiments, the PID may be stored by the multi-bureau freeze device or merchant device so that the consumer may not be required to re-provide the PID. It may be the same consumer PID received in block 610 or a different consumer PID that indicates that the consumer would like to lock credit files associated with the consumer. The consumer PID may be received by a multi-bureau freeze device 100 from the merchant device from which the consumer PID was received in block 610. This may allow a consumer to easily unlock a plurality of credit files for access by a merchant from a single device, thereby providing the merchant access to the credit files associated with the consumer, and relock the plurality of credit files. Alternatively, the consumer PID may be received from a different device, such as a consumer computing device 162 or a computing device 172.

[0064] Moving to block 670, the consumer PID is translated into a plurality of access codes for respective credit bureaus. The access codes for the respective credit bureaus may be the same access codes described above in block 620, or may be different access codes. For example, the multi-bureau freeze 100 device may access a PID translation data structure to translate a received consumer PID into a plurality of access codes. In block 680, at least some of the plurality of access codes are provided to the corresponding credit bureaus.

[0065] Finally, in block 690, the credit bureaus lock the credit files associated with the access code received by the respective credit bureau. The blocks shown in FIG. 6 may be performed substantially in real time. For example, after the consumer provides the PID in block 610, the merchant may be given access to the credit files of the consumer in substantially real time. Then the consumer may again enter the consumer PID and the credit files may be locked by the credit bureaus in substantially real time. This increases the likelihood that only a desired party, for example the merchant, may access the consumer's credit files during the interval in which the credit files are unlocked. Alternatively, after block 650, the credit files may again be locked without entry of a consumer PID. For example, the credit files may be locked after a predetermined period of time. Some examples of predetermined periods of time include 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, one hour, one day, or one week, though the predetermined time interval may be any other period of time. The credit files may also be locked immediately after access is given to the merchant device, such an in response to responding to a first request for a credit file for the unlocked consumer's credit file, or after a predetermined number of access of the respective credit files.

[0066] Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein. Moreover, the described embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, other combinations, omissions, substitutions and modifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiments, but is to be defined by reference to the appended claims.