| If you are worried about identity theft one | | | | to get in contact with them first. Generally |
| effective way of protecting yourself against | | | | however, you're required to send identifying |
| identity theft is to opt for a credit freeze. When | | | | information by certified mail along with payment |
| you freeze your credit, no one can open new | | | | for the credit freeze service. If you are a victim |
| credit in your name and access your credit | | | | of identity theft, include a copy of the police |
| reports until the freeze is lifted. | | | | report or complaint filed with a law enforcement |
| A credit freeze will stop potential identity thieves | | | | agency. |
| from obtaining credit in your name since lenders | | | | The credit bureau will freeze your credit within 5 |
| aren't able to verify your credit worthiness. A | | | | business days of receiving your credit freeze |
| criminal may have all your valuable information like | | | | request. Placing a credit freeze will cost around |
| your social security number, even your account | | | | $10 per bureau unless you have been a victim of |
| numbers and they still cannot apply for and get | | | | identity theft, in which case you don't have to |
| approved for additional credit in your name since | | | | pay. |
| a credit freeze locks access to your credit report. | | | | When you place a credit freeze, the three |
| Although it does protect you against identity | | | | bureaus will issue a PIN number that can be used |
| theft, placing a credit freeze also means that your | | | | to lift the credit freeze. Just log in to the credit |
| credit file cannot be seen by potential lenders, | | | | bureau websites and enter your PIN number or |
| insurers and potential employers doing background | | | | provide your PIN to a potential lender if you are |
| checks, unless you give your consent. As a result, | | | | applying for credit. Lifting the freeze temporarily |
| most companies will not allow you to open | | | | will cost you another $10 per bureau, even if you |
| accounts since they can't check your credit. | | | | are an identity theft victim. However, |
| While potential creditors cannot view your credit, | | | | permanently lifting a credit freeze is free of |
| your current creditors will still have access to | | | | charge. Note that the credit bureau will lift the |
| review your account or for collection purposes. | | | | freeze within 3 business days after receiving your |
| You can also still order your own credit report | | | | request. |
| even after the credit freeze, so you can verify | | | | In protecting yourself against identity theft, it's |
| that there is no identity theft going on. | | | | good to be aware of all options available so you |
| To freeze your credit, you have to send a letter | | | | can better decide which one would work best for |
| to each of the credit bureaus namely Experian, | | | | you. Certainly, credit freeze is one of the best |
| Equifax and TransUnion. Each credit bureau has a | | | | options to consider when you want to prevent |
| different set of procedures to follow so it's best | | | | identity theft. |