PSA - Freezing your credit reports

[willtill]

With the OPM security breach back in 2015, and now the resent Equifax security breach, and if you have no immediate plans to apply for a loan or other form of credit, a good precaution against identity theft is to freeze your credit report. It's easy to do and only Transunion charges you a fee ($5.00)

It will not affect your current credit or CC use.

You will be issued a PIN that only you have and is the only way to unlock the freeze.

All 4 Bureaus listed below.

DON'T LOSE THE PIN !!

https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freez...onalIDInfo.jsp

https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze

https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/sec...andingPage.jsp

https://www.innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze

[Walcrow]

Thanks for the tip, Will. My AmEx card got hacked last year and some dude bought some Jordon shoes in Michigan with my card.......the ASSWIPES are out there for sure.


Will..........Just tried the Equifax and TransUnion link and both don't work. Experian did work.

[Circle-5]

These links worked for me:

Equifax:-https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freez...onalIDInfo.jsp 1-800-685-1111 (NY residents 1-800-349-9960)

Experian:-http://www.experian.com/news/security-freeze.html 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion:-https://www.transunion.com/credit-fr...-credit-freeze 1-888-909-8872

[willtill]

I can't edit my original post. So am re posting the links again. They were truncated are something...

https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freez...onalIDInfo.jsp

https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze

https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/sec...andingPage.jsp

https://www.innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze

[Steve 0080]

Just a tip...NEVER use debt cards, ONLY use CC.....CC have a 100% fraud guarantee . If by some rare chance your CC does not you have the wrong card.


https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/home


I carry the Freedom Unlimited and for those who like OPM=other people's money, Slate has the best Balance Transfers

[TripleDuck]

gracias - that was on my todo list.

TD

[unsub]

Just a tip...NEVER use debt cards, ONLY use CC.....CC have a 100% fraud guarantee . If by some rare chance your CC does not you have the wrong card.


https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/home


I carry the Freedom Unlimited and for those who like OPM=other people's money, Slate has the best Balance Transfers

Walmart (and their credit card partners) is one institution you don't want to have your credit associated with. There are numerous examples of people having their cards stolen and used fraudulently, and Walmart will fight not to make the defrauded customer whole.

IMO travel only with prepaid credit cards. Debit cards with low daily limits are ok too.

[valkmc]

Just a tip...NEVER use debt cards, ONLY use CC.....CC have a 100% fraud guarantee . If by some rare chance your CC does not you have the wrong card.


https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/home


I carry the Freedom Unlimited and for those who like OPM=other people's money, Slate has the best Balance Transfers

I only use my debit card in large stores or restaurants until now. Never used online or in gas stations etc. Day after Irma my checking account got hacked $2599. Bought 12 $200 money orders at a post office in Long Beach Ca. Finished off the rest at a ATM. Some how had the pin.
They have video from the post office. My credit union doesn't seem like they are going after him but they replaced the $. Guess that amount doesn't bother them.

[unsub]

I only use my debit card in large stores or restaurants until now. Never used online or in gas stations etc. Day after Irma my checking account got hacked $2599. Bought 12 $200 money orders at a post office in Long Beach Ca. Finished off the rest at a ATM. Some how had the pin.
They have video from the post office. My credit union doesn't seem like they are going after him but they replaced the $. Guess that amount doesn't bother them.

I'm coming across more and more examples of PINs being hacked. Over the shoulder and skimming are two common ways.

If you have a smartphone only use NFC, Bluetooth and wifi as needed, otherwise keep them off. if you use an ATM be wary of anyone just "hanging around" and change locations if possible.

[Drive Jehu]

I can't edit my original post. So am re posting the links again. They were truncated are something...

https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freez...onalIDInfo.jsp

https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze

https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/sec...andingPage.jsp

https://www.innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze

This was on my to do list as well. Many thanks for the info willtill.