More than three bureaus exist
The CFPB maintains a list of specialty reporting companies. Which files matter depends on the product, lender and purpose.
Funding-readiness guide • updated July 2026
Freeze These 4 Specialty Reports
The “big three” are not the only companies that may hold consumer data. Learn what LexisNexis, SageStream, Innovis and CoreLogic Credco do—then request, review and protect the right files before you seek business funding.
A freeze is an identity-protection tool—not a guaranteed approval tactic. A lender may pause or deny an application if it cannot access a report it requires.
Start with the truth
Specialty reports can matter. Freezes have limits.
Specialty consumer reporting companies collect information for particular industries or risk decisions. Their data may surface during identity checks, lending, housing or mortgage workflows.
Accuracy comes first
Request your own disclosure, review names, addresses and account or public-record data, then dispute information that is inaccurate or incomplete.
A freeze controls access
A security freeze restricts certain third-party access. It does not delete accurate information, repair credit, raise a score or force a lender to approve you.
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Important correction to the source transcript
Do not freeze a report to hide accurate negative information or expect a dispute to “win by default.” Submit truthful applications, dispute only real errors and lift a freeze when a legitimate lender says it needs access.
The four files
What each company may provide
Use the official company or CFPB link for current procedures. Never send identity documents to a link received in an unsolicited message.
01Freeze available
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Public-record and proprietary data- Real estate records
- Liens & judgments
- Bankruptcies
- Historical addresses
- Professional licenses
LexisNexis says consumers may request a disclosure and place, lift or remove a security freeze. Some permitted users and existing-account reviews may still receive information.
Recommended action
Request the disclosure, verify the data, dispute genuine inaccuracies, then decide whether a security freeze fits your identity-protection needs.
Official freeze portal ↗02Covered together
SageStream
Now part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions- Consumer report
- Credit score
- Risk signals
- Identity data
The LexisNexis portal states that its security-freeze request prohibits release of both the LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure Report and the SageStream Consumer Report or score, subject to stated exceptions.
Recommended action
Use the LexisNexis portal; do not pay a third party to submit a separate SageStream freeze request.
Read the two-in-one notice ↗One portal can cover files at both companies, but it does not freeze Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, Innovis or other agencies.
03Freeze available
Innovis
Credit and identity verification data- Identity verification
- Consumer credit data
- Fraud prevention
- Address information
The CFPB lists Innovis as a consumer reporting company that provides credit and identity-verification data. Consumers can request a report and a security freeze.
Recommended action
Request your report before an important application, check identity and address details, and dispute inaccuracies directly with Innovis and the furnisher.
Official Innovis freeze page ↗04Review first
CoreLogic Credco
Merged mortgage credit reports- Equifax data
- Experian data
- TransUnion data
- Merged report
- Mortgage workflow
Credco specializes in merged credit reports that can combine data from the three nationwide bureaus for mortgage lenders. Contact Consumer Assistance if Credco appears on an inquiry or a lender refers you.
Recommended action
Ask which Credco product or underlying bureau data was used. Request the relevant disclosure and follow current Consumer Assistance instructions.
Credco Consumer Assistance ↗Safe sequence
Use this 4-step action plan
This sequence improves accuracy and identity protection without relying on promises that a freeze will produce an approval.
ORDER: Request → Review → Correct → Freeze or lift
Request your own disclosures
Start with the files most relevant to your next application. Requesting your own consumer report does not hurt your credit score.
Save confirmation numbers, dates and copies securely.Review identity and account details
Check your name, Social Security number variations, addresses, account history, inquiries and public-record information.
Flag only information you can identify as inaccurate or incomplete.Dispute genuine errors with evidence
Contact both the reporting company and the organization that supplied the information. Keep copies of every submission and response.
A freeze does not replace the dispute process.Freeze for protection; lift when needed
Place a freeze when it fits your identity-protection plan. Before a legitimate application, ask the lender which reports it needs and temporarily lift the appropriate freeze.
Refreeze after the access window closes if you still want protection.My readiness checklist
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Plain-English answers
Questions people ask before freezing
Policies can change. Confirm every step on the company’s official site before sharing personal information.
Will a security freeze improve my credit score?
No. A freeze restricts certain access to a file; it does not change the information in the report or raise a credit score.
Will freezing these files guarantee business funding?
No. Lenders use different reports and underwriting rules. If a required file is frozen, a lender may ask you to lift it, pause the application or decline to proceed.
Does freezing LexisNexis freeze every bureau?
No. LexisNexis says its portal covers LexisNexis and SageStream. It does not place freezes at Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, Innovis or other reporting companies.
Can I still see my own report while it is frozen?
Generally, yes. A freeze is aimed at third-party access and does not prevent you from requesting and reviewing your own file.
What should I do after an unexplained denial?
Read the adverse-action notice. It should identify the reporting company used and explain your right to request a report. Review that report, then dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information.
What about Advanced Resolution Services (ARS)?
The transcript mentioned ARS as a bonus company, but freeze availability and procedures were not clearly supported by the official sources used for this guide. Check the CFPB’s current company list or consult a qualified consumer-law attorney before acting.
Official starting points
Use trusted consumer resources
These links were checked while this guide was prepared. Company procedures can change, so use the official pages—not a paid “freeze service.”
CFPB — Consumer reporting companiesLearn how to request reports, dispute errors and find specialty agencies.
CFPB — What a security freeze doesFederal guidance on access, limits and temporary lifts.
LexisNexis — Security FreezeOfficial request, lift, removal and SageStream coverage information.
Innovis — Security FreezeOfficial Innovis request page and Consumer Assistance details.
Credco — Consumer AssistanceInformation for consumers referred by a lender or seeing a Credco inquiry.
CFPB — Submit a complaintUse when a reporting problem remains unresolved after direct contact.
Be funding-ready
Know what is in your files before a lender does.
Review for accuracy, protect your identity, apply truthfully and keep a clear record of every report, dispute and freeze.