If you are looking to make your credit
information more secure, then a credit freeze is the option for you.
Beware though, there are drawbacks.
Each year identity theft and credit fraud become more of a problem.
Many times the theft is a quick hit to a stolen credit card number, but
there are many instances where the theft goes deeper and a new account
is opened in another name or a new address is acquired using the
original owners name.
California was the first state to
pass laws allowing the credit freeze, but soon after most states have
initiated their own rulings on the subject. If you are a victim of
identity theft the credit freeze is usually free of charge. If you just
want to make your accounts more secure it will cost but the charge is
very minimal.
The credit freeze is a state law that generally is considered to provide more protection than the federal credit fraud alerts.
What this action does is bars those trying to view your credit report.
Viewing the credit report is the first step lenders take in extending credit, so this puts a stop to those trying to steal your identity and getting that credit for themselves.
What the credit freeze will not stop
You
need to be vigilant with your accounts checking them at least weekly as
fraud seems to be a regular feature of this economy and a growing
problem for the banking industry.
What
a credit freeze will keep from happening is the day you find yourself
with a mortgage or line of credit that you had no idea existed!!! That
could give you a heart attack! The long term circumstances of dealing
with correcting that problem would be no joke either.
Some of the drawbacks
Most likely you will forget you even put the freeze in place and
you will get denied any new credit till the freeze is lifted. If you
applied for new credit and the merchant has your contact information the
new line will be on hold till you lift the freeze.
If the three day wait is
imposed, a good way to look at the situation is that it's structure we
all could use. Most credit situations are for things like new cars, new
furniture or major appliances. That possible three day wait may result
in slowing down, finding a better deal or just plain thinking about the
cost before you jump.
When the needed credit is
for an item that has been planned then a structured person will have
thought of the need to lift the freeze on the credit before the search.
When the situation arises that you find yourself
in the need of applying for credit in an ongoing manner then releasing
all of your accounts for a time may be the better option or you may want
to wait till that period is finished before initiating the freeze.
To place a security freeze on all your accounts you must contact each of the three major credit bureaus separately and pay the fee for each. State laws (or lack of) rule here. There is a chart at each of the credit bureau websites with the information for placing a freeze and the fees for each of the states. Access to the transunion,
equifax, andexperian. chart at experian. You just select your state from a drop down box.
A
security freeze will put the damper on new accounts from being opened
but those whom you have an existing relationship will still be able to
access your account along with others that have the right legally such
as law enforcement officials.
There are states that
still have not passed legislation to put the security freeze in action
in their state yet. The three major credit bureaus have given those and
all states the opportunity to do so.
Those that have
passed legislation have made the cost the most minimal while those with
no legislation cost more but is still quite reasonable.
What
credit repair resources has found is that this is a good tool to deter
fraudulent activity and seems to limit the endless offers of credit.
To learn if a credit freeze is right for you consider the material at consider the security freeze
credit freeze back to credit fraud
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