4/5/2024 0 Comments Equifax lift credt freezeIn connection with various settlements, Equifax is making at least six additional free Equifax credit reports each year available online to U.S. To opt out of such pre-approved offers, visit Entities that may still have access to your Equifax credit report include: companies like Equifax Consumer Services LLC, which provide you with access to your credit report or credit score, or monitor your credit report as part of a subscription or similar service companies that provide you with a copy of your credit report or credit score, upon your request federal, state and local government agencies and courts in certain circumstances companies using the information in connection with the underwriting of insurance, or for employment, tenant or background screening purposes companies that have a current account or relationship with you, and collection agencies acting on behalf of those whom you owe companies that authenticate a consumer's identity for purposes other than granting credit, or for investigating or preventing actual or potential fraud and companies that wish to make pre-approved offers of credit or insurance to you. Freezing your Equifax credit report will not prevent access to your credit report at any other credit reporting agency. Monitor your credit score for unexplained and dramatic changes that could signal fraud.Placing a security freeze on your Equifax credit report will prevent access to it by certain third parties.Get your free credit reports once a year and check for errors or anything questionable.Set up alerts on your bank and credit card accounts to give you real-time notification of what’s happening to your accounts.Check your bank and credit card accounts at least once a week and look for any suspicious activity.That’s why you need to do several other things to protect yourself: You’re still vulnerable to existing account fraud, where a crook steals your credit or debit card number and starts buying things. It doesn’t keep the horse from getting out of the barn all it does is tell you the horse is gone.” A freeze isn't a silver bulletĪ security freeze is an important fraud-fighting tool, but it doesn’t stop all forms of identity theft, just the creation of new financial accounts in your name. “If you get credit monitoring for free, it doesn't hurt to combine it with a freeze, but credit monitoring doesn’t prevent identity theft – it simply alerts you to a problem. “A security freeze is the most effective measure you can take to prevent identity theft,” said Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney for the National Consumer Law Center. Keep in mind: The credit bureau websites are designed to sell you products and services, so use these direct links:ĭon’t confuse a freeze - or even a lock - with credit monitoring which looks for potential signs of fraudulent activity. After verifying your identity and answering some challenge questions, you’ll be issued a PIN for that account that must be used to freeze or thaw it. To secure your credit files, you’ll need to request a freeze at each of the three bureaus. A freeze does not hurt your credit score. ![]() ![]() A credit freeze does not impact current financial relationships, so it does not affect your existing credit card accounts, loans or mortgage.To apply for credit, you’ll need to thaw the account. How does it work and what will it do?Ī security freeze restricts access to your credit file, to prevent anyone from opening new accounts or taking out loans in your name - even you. Seventy-five percent of the 2,005 adults responding to the NerdWallet survey said they’d be likely to freeze their credit when a breach involved their information, if doing so were free.
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