EZ way to freeze and unlock credit report>?

[afterburn 549]

Now that the whole world has all our SS numbers and other information, and the 3 banks in charge seem to be able to operate in this manner and be abdicated of all responsibility from themselves without recourse.........
I am thinking I need to get disconnected for a whilst.
To the point as the header states-
Is there an EZ way to pull the plug?
Hire some entity?
Sigh on to some agency?
thanx.

[Deschodt]

As far as I know, unless you wanna pay a service, sign onto all 3 (equifax experian and ...the other one, transunion?) and you can generally do that for free on the front page. Write down your passwords somewhere cause this works - you may find yourself at a car dealership "unlocking" one of them to get a car financing approved that just got blocked otherwise. Ahem.

[Bugsinrugs]

I locked my credit maybe 5 years ago. Unlocked once for a loan then immediately locked it again. This all from someone applying for a credit card in my name.

[afterburn 549]

I would gladly pay a reputable service to do it at my command.

Bugsinrugs - How dod you do this?
That's my problem, it seems so complicated.

[cabmandone]

AB,
It's not really complicated. You'll go to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion websites. You'll create an account with username and password. Once you've got the account up, you'll put a freeze on your credit for each. I did it for myself, my wife and all of my kids. You can also call in and put a freeze on. You'll get a security code number to use when calling in to remove the freeze.

[masraum]

Go to the 3 sites and freeze for free. You do have to register, but other than that, freeze and unfreeze is quick, free, and easy.

[MBAtarga]

Clark Howard is a local Atlanta consumer advocate who's been around for many years. His website clark dot com has lot's of good information/advice for credit and savings,etc.

This page from his site has what you need:

https://clark.com/credit/credit-freeze-and-thaw-guide/#How-To-Freeze-Your-Credit-With-Experian,-Equifax-and-TransUnion

[thingmon]

Maybe a bit antiquated, but I’ve heard it’s not a bad idea to leave a message on your phone saying you’re not pursuing any new credit lines. How many actually call to check anymore?. I don’t know. Probably just the legit ones, so it may not be helpful.

[afterburn 549]

cabmandone
masraum
MBAtarga
Thank you, thankyou, and thank you
Just what i needed!
i do apreciate it.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by thingmon

Maybe a bit antiquated, but I’ve heard it’s not a bad idea to leave a message on your phone saying you’re not pursuing any new credit lines. How many actually call to check anymore?. I don’t know. Probably just the legit ones, so it may not be helpful.

I don't know about the others who have their credit frozen, but one thing I noticed was a dramatic decrease in the credit card junk mail I received. That alone was worth the effort of freezing my credit. It seemed like before the freeze my mailbox would be packed full of offers from credit card companies. Now I'm lucky to see one a month

[afterburn 549]

^^^^^^^^

[DavidI]

What To Know About Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts:

Credit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen. Learn what they do and how to place them.

• Credit Freezes

• Fraud Alerts

Credit Freezes:
Who can place one: Anyone can freeze their credit report, even if their identity has not been stolen.

What it does: A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, which means you — or others — won’t be able to open a new credit account while the freeze is in place. You can temporarily lift the credit freeze if you need to apply for new credit. When the freeze is in place, you will still be able to do things like apply for a job, rent an apartment, or buy insurance without lifting or removing it.

Duration: A credit freeze lasts until you remove it.

Cost: Free

How to place: Contact each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Fraud Alerts:

Fraud alerts are available in different situations and have different benefits.
Fraud alert

Who can place one: Anyone who suspects fraud can place a fraud alert on their credit report.

What it does: A fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name. A business must verify your identity before it issues new credit in your name.

When you place a fraud alert on your credit report, you can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus.

Duration: A fraud alert lasts one year. After a year, you can renew it.

Cost: Free

How to place: Contact any one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You don’t have to contact all three. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place a fraud alert on your credit report.

Extended fraud alert:

Who can place one: An extended fraud alert is only available to people who have had their identity stolen and completed an FTC identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov or filed a police report.

What it does: Like a fraud alert, an extended fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name. A business must contact you before it issues new credit in your name.

When you place an extended fraud alert on your credit report, you can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus twice within one year from when you place the alert, which means you could review your credit report six times in a year.

In addition, the credit bureaus will take you off their marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for five years, unless you ask them not to.

Duration: An extended fraud alert lasts seven years.

Cost: Free

How to place: Contact any one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You don’t have to contact all three. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.

Active duty alert:

Who can place one: Active duty service members can place an active duty fraud alert.
What it does: An active duty fraud alert will make it harder for someone to open a new credit account in your name. A business must verify your identity before it issues new credit in your name.

In addition, the credit bureaus will take you off their marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for two years, unless you ask them not to.

Duration: An active duty fraud alert lasts one year. After a year, you can renew it for the length of your deployment.

Cost: Free

How to place: Contact any one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You don’t have to contact all three. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two to place an active duty fraud alert on your credit report.

[drkshdw]

Whatever you do, do not give them a CC# or sign up for any credit monitoring service. It's not needed to freeze your credit (contrary to what Experian says).

[Steve Carlton]

Does Experian say that, or is that just a feature they list that's included with their subscription?

[afterburn 549]

Thanx everyone!
Done did it this morning, was not hard at all!
This place is always the best for real info and help!

(no one asked for a CC number)

[masraum]

Originally Posted by drkshdw

Whatever you do, do not give them a CC# or sign up for any credit monitoring service. It's not needed to freeze your credit (contrary to what Experian says).

Yep, never give anyone your CC# for credit reports or freeze/unlock. My son had seen one of the commercials about getting your credit report. I don't remember who it was (freecreditreport.com?), but he had to provide a credit card. If only he had asked first. It, of course, was free for the report, but it was one of those deals where you got a free report, but then had to cancel or they'd start charging you monthly.

Of course, you can get a free credit report from all 3 of the credit bureaus once per year, that's actually free (no CC# required) from annualcreditreport.com.

[Steve Carlton]

I cancelled my motorcycle purchase.