Done that already… I too keep mine frozen at all times…. Just common sense in today’s environment… I also, if answering a phone call, never say Yes in case I’m being recorded by a hacker / scammer… I also use Robokiller & Verizon’s call filter…
In my experience, this was free only if you have been the victim of identity theft, in which case you have filed a police report and notified the Fed Trade Commission.
Otherwise, it cost me $30. ($10 per freeze with each credit bureau). Small price to pay for peace of mind.
They try to trick you on their site to buy a plan first. Hunt around on their site for the free option.
Be aware that Experian will spam your email to sell you stuff after you set up a freeze there. Don't let that stop you from protecting yourself.
Experian appears to be more tricky than the others.
Don't Google. Use BING. Boycott all the tech companies who are now in Trump's pocket: Meta, Amazon, Washington Post, Google, Tesla, X, and Tik Tok. And boycott Paramount for not having the balls to stand up for 60 Minutes in Trump's legal efforts to intimidate the media.
Me too. I already had someone take $5000 out my checking & savingsvaccounts at Wells Fargo years ago. Like 2014. I shut everything down & took all our money & business from them after that. 🙄😒
Back in Dec had a credit card used. They even tried to use it to get my credit report but were unsuccessful. The audacity! Guess they didn't have the right answers. Froze all my cards & a few days later they attempted to use another one. Replaced them all, locked my credit, changed all my passwords
I also think it is important to place a FREE freeze at all three agencies. If anyone needs to legitimately check your credit, you can unfreeze.
Be aware that Experian will spam your email with "offers" to sell you after you set up a freeze there. Don't let that stop you from protecting yourself.
If you apply for a loan, you must unfreeze the credit report. This is done by going to the website and logging in with a special pin number assigned when you froze the account.
You can specify how long the "unfreeze" should last (usually 24 hours, or whatever time frame you want).
I hate the idea of those 3, and the idea that I must expose my self just to order the freeze. But I'm also smart enough to know the have all my shit anyway, so here are my questions: How long does the freeze last? How does a freeze stop anyone from doing bad things?
the freeze lasts until you log into your account and go through the steps to unfreeze. what I understand it stops inquiries into your credit (so if someone is trying to borrow money using your SS#, name, etc.) since the bank/credit union, etc can not get to your credit report unless you unfreeze it
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Otherwise, it cost me $30. ($10 per freeze with each credit bureau). Small price to pay for peace of mind.
Be aware that Experian will spam your email to sell you stuff after you set up a freeze there. Don't let that stop you from protecting yourself.
Experian appears to be more tricky than the others.
Be aware that Experian will spam your email with "offers" to sell you after you set up a freeze there. Don't let that stop you from protecting yourself.
I have for years now.
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action?os=%40%4070fij
You can specify how long the "unfreeze" should last (usually 24 hours, or whatever time frame you want).