How to freeze your credit report Tech Mirrors
Freezing your credit can make it hard for identity thieves to open accounts in your name, and the best part is that it’s free. The three major credit bureaus offer you the ability to freeze your credit. In this video I show you how to freeze your credit with Equifax, Transunion and Experian.
Equifax: https://www.equifax.com
Transunion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Experian: https://www.experian.com/freeze
00:00 – How to freeze your credit
01:22 – What you need
01:42 – Equifax
02:25 – Transunion
03:24 – Experian
03:55 – Unfreezing your credit
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Identity theft, even before its explosion on the World Wide Web has been relatively easy for professional or even amateur conmen. With relatively basic pieces of personal information, identity thieves can carry out purchases and claims in someone else’s name.
Identity Theft Unveiled
There are literally hundreds or maybe thousands of “Bonnie and Clyde” groups operating in the United Kingdom and the United States at any one time. In the United Kingdom, an infamous husband and wife team once used the identity of 66-year-old university professor to buy luxurious vacations and other large expenses.
Near the end of the crime spree of the modern “Bonnie and Clyde” team, the police were ready to pounce on the victim and not the identity thieves. This is a classic case of how an innocent victim can fall prey to criminals that don’t even have to see the victim in order to commit the near-perfect crime.
What happens when you put a freeze on your credit report?
A security freeze prevents prospective creditors from accessing your credit file. Creditors typically won’t offer you credit if they can’t access your credit reporting file, so a security freeze, also called a credit freeze, prevents you or others from opening accounts in your name.
Does freezing your credit hurt your credit score?
A credit freeze means potential creditors will be unable to access your credit report, making it more difficult for an identity thief to open new lines of credit in your name. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score, and it’s free.
Can I freeze credit report for free?
A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is the best way to help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. It’s absolutely free to freeze and unfreeze your credit, and it won’t affect your credit score.
How long does a freeze last on your credit report?
A credit freeze is like a padlock on the credit reports kept by the three major credit bureaus. But how long does a credit freeze last? The short answer is: until you decide to lift it. A credit freeze is one way to protect your credit against potential fraud.
What is a major downside of locking your credit?
The major downside to having a credit lock is that it generally comes with a fee. Plus, your credit file can still be accessed for the same reasons as a freeze. Credit agencies charge about $20 per month to maintain your lock service, which may include daily alerts, dark web monitoring and free credit reports.
How much is a credit freeze?
free
Freezing your credit is free, and you’ll need to do it with all three credit bureaus to lock down each of your credit reports. And again, the freeze will stay in place until you lift it.
What’s the difference between credit freeze and credit lock?
There’s one major difference between credit locks and credit freezes: Unlike locks, freezes do not require you to maintain a subscription at a credit bureau. To place a freeze on your credit reports, simply visit each bureau’s website or call the phone number.
How do I lift a credit freeze?
The quickest and easiest way to remove (or “thaw”) a credit freeze is to contact each credit bureau online or by phone. If you’ve frozen your credit at all three national bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax), you’ll need to thaw it at each bureau separately.
How do you put an alert on your Social Security number?
You may reach the FTC’s identity theft hotline toll free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) or visit their website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft. Additional Resources: Protecting Your Social Security Number from Identity Theft.
Freezing the Report
There are three main credit bureaus that handle credit reports. You have Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. First of all, why would you want a credit freeze? If you think your personal information has been exposed to undesirables (through the Internet or if you’ve lost a wallet full of identification cards and identification numbers), having your credit report frozen is a good idea.
Determine first the basic requirements of having a credit freeze in your locality. Afterward, contact all the bureaus and have your report frozen. If you’re not normally entitled to discounts (unlike senior citizens), you would probably have to pay a small fee for the freeze.
However, the small fee would be nothing compared to the potential headaches you might have if someone starts using your accounts for buying things you don’t want.
