Equifax also will start a service on Jan. 31 that allows consumers to lock and unlock their credit reports for free, which is similar to a freeze. This service, too, applies only to your Equifax report. The personal data compromised in the Equifax cyberattack included names, birth dates, S...
3. Freeze Your Credit Report# Since your stolen Social Security number can be misused by hackers to open new accounts in your name or ruin your credit score, you should consider placing acredit freezerequest. Freezing your credit will make it difficult for anyone to open a new account in yo...
“One of the solutions being recommended if you think your personal information may have been compromised is to request a credit freeze from all three major credit bureaus to ensure that hackers can’t exploit your stolen information — but my view is that will only protect you from less than...
— Consider freezing your credit reports. That stops thieves from opening new credit cards or loans in your name, but it also prevents you from opening new accounts. So if you want to apply for something, you need to lift the freeze a few days beforehand. WHO'S INVESTIGATING THIS? A hos...
“When you have Experian Identity Theft Protection, you can instantly lock or unlock your Experian Credit File with the simple click of a button,” the ad enthuses. “Experian gives you instant access to your credit report.” First off, all consumers have the legal right to instant access to...
Free credit freeze from Equifax: Answers to your questions Equifax's latest move: Freecredit lockand unlock for life Poll: Americans slow to check credit after Equifax data breach What happened Equifax on Sept. 7 announced the cybersecurity incident, one of the largest in history. Unauthorized ...