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How To Freeze Your Credit Report at Each Credit Bureau
the balance ^ | April 20, 2017 | LaToya Irby

Posted on 09/18/2017 6:32:37 AM PDT by Leaning Right

Having your identity stolen is no stroll along the beach. Getting your name cleared takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes money.

*snip*

To prevent your identity from being stolen, or to prevent further identity theft after your identity has already been stolen, you might consider freezing your credit report.

(Excerpt) Read more at thebalance.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: creditreport; equifax; equifaxhacked; freeze
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This is something we all should be looking into, especially considering the recent Equifax data breach.
1 posted on 09/18/2017 6:32:37 AM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: Leaning Right

I have done this. I haven’t read the article but I have frozen my credit at all FOUR credit agencies. Don’t forget Innovis.


2 posted on 09/18/2017 6:34:05 AM PDT by samtheman (As an oil exporter, why would the Russians prefer Trump to Hillary? (Get it or be stupid.))
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To: Leaning Right

Thanks for posting this.

Sucks to have to pay to be left alone, but I guess that it beats getting credit taken out in your name without your permission.


3 posted on 09/18/2017 6:39:45 AM PDT by Ancesthntr ("The right to buy weapons is the right to be free." A. E. van Vogt)
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To: Leaning Right

Typically costs associated with it but minor. That said you are entering more info with the same idiots that lost it in the first place that are lead by a music major.


4 posted on 09/18/2017 6:39:46 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Not my circus. Not my monkeys.)
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To: Leaning Right

I did this at all four after the Equifax breach.


5 posted on 09/18/2017 6:43:23 AM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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To: Leaning Right

Important... bump to the top.


6 posted on 09/18/2017 6:44:17 AM PDT by GOPJ ("$3 Million Dollars 'PER DAY' is spent to incarcerate criminal illegals.That's $1.2 Billion a year.")
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To: mad_as_he$$

> That said you are entering more info with the same idiots that lost it in the first place that are lead by a music major. <

Excellent point. But since they already have that info, I figure that asking for a credit freeze will probably help you, not hurt you. Then again...you can never be sure.


7 posted on 09/18/2017 6:46:25 AM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
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To: Leaning Right

If it’s so danged important, post it here. It’s public information anyway, so no need to drive traffic to a hit farm.

*************

State Law and Security Freezes

Most have laws requiring credit reporting agencies, aka credit bureaus, to allow security freezes on credit reports. However, 9 states (Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Virginia) don’t have such laws. For these states, all three credit bureaus, voluntarily allow consumers to freeze their credit reports.

In most states, the freeze remains in effect until you remove it. In a few states, the freeze expires after seven years. Check the credit bureau websites for the security freeze laws in your state.

Fees range from $5 to $20 to freeze, temporarily lift the freeze, remove the freeze, or to replace your PIN (the personal identification number used to freeze or unfreeze your credit report). If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, there is no fee to freeze your credit report. Some states also waive the fees for seniors over a certain age.

How to Freeze Your Credit Report

You must freeze your credit report at each credit bureau individually since there’s no way to freeze all three credit reports at once.

Requests to freeze your credit report must be made in writing and should include your name, address, date of birth, social security number, copy of a valid id, proof of address (e.g. copy of utility bill) and payment. Payment can be made via check or credit card.

Special Documents for Identity Theft Victims

In most states, you don’t have to pay to freeze (or unfreeze) your credit report if you’ve been a victim of identity theft. Identity theft victims should provide proof of the theft, i.e. a copy of a police report, identity theft report, or DMV report. The credit bureau probably won’t return your documents, so send copies not originals. Finally, mail your request via certified mail with return receipt requested to the credit bureau.

After the credit bureau receives your request, it will respond with confirmation that your credit report has been frozen.

You will also receive a PIN or password to use whenever you need to temporarily unfreeze or permanently remove the freeze from your credit report.

Freezing Your Credit Report at Each Credit Bureau

Visit each credit bureau’s site to get more information about placing a security freeze on your credit report.
•Equifax: Freeze Your Equifax Credit Report, 1-800-685-1111 (NY residents 1-800-349-9960)
•Experian: Freeze Your Experian Credit Report, 1-888-397-3742
•TransUnion: Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Report, 1-888-909-8872

Note that credit bureaus may experience high call volumes and web traffic after major data breaches and other widespread identity attacks. You may experience long phone wait times and even have difficulty accessing the credit bureau online security freeze forms during these times.

You can also place a security freeze by mail (use certified mail). Make sure you send the following information in your request:
•Your full name, including your middle initial any generational suffix (e.g. Jr., II, etc.)
•Complete current address, and previous addresses for the past two years
•Date of birth, month, day, and year
•Social security number
•Proof of identification (e.g. a photocopy of your valid driver’s license, passport, state ID, military ID, or birth certificate)
•Address verification (e.g. utility bill, cell phone bill, pay stub. Do not send a credit cards statement, magazine subscription, voided check, or lease agreement)
•Payment (check, money order, or major credit card)

Here are the credit bureau addresses you should use to mail your security freeze application and documentation.

Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, Georgia 30348

Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000


8 posted on 09/18/2017 6:48:15 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Take Covfefe Ree Zig!)
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To: Larry Lucido

Like I knew that the site was a “hit farm”. I got the link from a friend of mine. Next time I will be more careful posting helpful information. I certainly don’t want to offend you.


9 posted on 09/18/2017 6:52:16 AM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
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To: Leaning Right

bkmk


10 posted on 09/18/2017 6:56:43 AM PDT by krunkygirl
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To: Larry Lucido

Thanks


11 posted on 09/18/2017 6:57:41 AM PDT by Freee-dame (Best election ever.)
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BOOKMARK


12 posted on 09/18/2017 7:02:44 AM PDT by Faith65 (Isaiah 40:31)
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To: Larry Lucido; vette6387; flat; unkus; ZULU; NFHale; sheik yerbouty; celtic gal; Foolsgold; ...

After putting all that information plus a check into the US mail, we’re supposed to feel safe and foolishly secure that no one stole it via theft of your letter(s)? Or, theft at the credit agency because all their employees are trustworthy; yeah right? That’s how we got here in the first place.

We live in an amoral country where no one is responsible for anything and we’re all left out there with our rears exposed.

Please advise! And, why is anyone having to pay for this BS when we didn’t cause this and the credit reporting agencies are making money off of us?

These agencies and the US Congress has We The People chasing our tails 24/7, IMO.


13 posted on 09/18/2017 7:11:17 AM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: Leaning Right

I reside in NC and did all four no charge.

I believe they have waived the fees in light of the Equifax snafu.


14 posted on 09/18/2017 7:11:45 AM PDT by CodeJockey (White privilege. A byproduct of superior intellect. Nothing more, nothing less.)
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To: Leaning Right
Good precaution, in case the others also hire Music majors to run their IT Security operations to fill their Affirmative Action quotas:


15 posted on 09/18/2017 7:16:52 AM PDT by bigbob (People say believe half of what you see son and none of what you hear - M. Gaye)
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To: Leaning Right

bump


16 posted on 09/18/2017 7:19:34 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (I was not elected to continue a failed system. I was elected to change it. --Donald J. Trump)
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To: samtheman

Also ChexSystems, which I believe banks use when you open an accounts.

Here’s a good article on credit freezes => https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Credit_freeze


17 posted on 09/18/2017 7:28:24 AM PDT by Ken H (Best election ever!)
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To: sauropod

bkmk


18 posted on 09/18/2017 7:29:29 AM PDT by sauropod (I am His and He is Mine)
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To: wafflehouse

bookmark


19 posted on 09/18/2017 8:05:48 AM PDT by wafflehouse (RE-ELECT NO ONE !)
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To: Larry Lucido

These are the same three that Clark Howard, consumer expert in Atlanta said had to be notified. Some posting here say four. Guide to freeze credit is at the link.

http://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/credit-freeze-and-thaw-guide/

Does anyone know if credit cards need the same protection? There are different opinions on this.

I assume that the credit freeze would affect all LARGE amounts - house, car etc., but maybe that’s wrong...how about retail stores credit lines?

Have asked these same questions on another thread but it seems no one has any answers or they don’t think the questions are necessary. It’s sure not clear to me..

Everything you read refers to FREEZING YOUR CREDIT REPORT...It’s not the report I’m concerned with - it’s the CREDIT!


20 posted on 09/18/2017 8:07:04 AM PDT by Thank You Rush
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