From the December 2-3 Wall Street Journal: "More states let consumers suspend credit files as an antifraud strategy".
If you put a "freeze" on your credit account, any new creditor who wants to open an account in your name has to provide a personal identification number, which the agencies issue the consumer once his account is frozen. The idea is, this number is one that a casual thief won't have. (Don't write it on your credit cards!!!)
(Yes, that should be obvious, but "Obviously, the obvious isn't obvious to everyone.")
Where to find instructions for freezing your credit files:
- Equifax.com
- Click "customer service", and then "How do I place a Security Freeze?"
- Experian
- Go to www.expereian.com/consumer/security_freeze.html
- TransUnion.com
- Click "Personal" then "Fraud and Identity Theft", then "Preventing".
Freezing requires a certified letter, containing some personal information. Thawing is easier, requiring a phone call or web access, and your personal identification number. Note, however, the thaw hotlines are not currently open 24 hours. TransUnion operates from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays, in every time zone.
Officially, it can take up to 72 hours to thaw, but in practice, it usually takes a few minutes.
No comments:
Post a Comment