"Freezing" credit --- what exactly is the procedure?

[theo]

I am always extremely security conscious and (...knocking on wood here) have seldom if ever personally experienced any problems regarding personal data breaches, identity theft attempts, etc.

That being said, my 90 year old mother is one of the many "lucky winners" directly affected by the recent (and completely inexcusable) Anthem "hack" debacle, although she is not personally aware of the potential consequences. She has only one infrequently used credit card and, having PoA, I routinely monitor its' account and her banking and bills and handle her taxes, etc. That being said, in the aftermath of the Anthem debacle, I now want to initiate any and all other available, proactive measures to ensure that no new accounts, credit cards, etc. are (or can be) fraudulently opened in her name and then used by identity / cash thieves to access her financial assets, before she or I even become aware of any such fraudulent activity.

Long intro, short question: What exactly is the "credit freeze" drill?
--- Contact TransUnion, Equifax and Experian separately and individually?
--- Something different (...or something additional)?
--- Any other actions or pertinent recommendations?

Input is requested and appreciated from anyone with direct, first hand knowledge and experience (not theoretical or philosophical advice, please) in initiating a complete and permanent "credit freeze". I want to better protect my elderly mother's financial affairs; she certainly won't be applying for any loans or any more credit cards...

It's' no secret that once this kind personal data is stolen, it may very well not be "utilized" right away. The misappropriated info can be (and often is) sold and resold ad infinitum, lurking as "sleeper cell" data to be (mis)used much later. Personally, I'd much rather try to actively prevent and avert problems now (to the extent that I can even do so), rather than have to later invest my time and effort in "fixing" avoidable problems "after the fact". Yes, I already know full well that there is "fraud protection" on credit cards, absolving the fraudulently impacted, but my time is valuable too and I don't want to spend it resolving fraud issues later.

Thanks in advance for your input and recommendations.

 

[RonB]

I recently did this. Google each of the credit "keepers" and you may be able to do it online. I say "may" because I don't know if you can do it for another person. I also don't know if you can register more than one person from the same email addy. The cost is $10 for each site. They will give you a registration number which you must keep in case you decide to "unfreeze" the account. It's not hard, but does take a few minutes. I hope this helps ~ Ron

 

[Talent312]

Take a look at this webpage from the Federal Trade Commission:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs
It explains how it works and the difference between a freeze + fraud alert.

For fraud alerts, see this webpage:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert

These pages link you to the three principal credit report agency websites.

Fraudulent access to bank, savings or investment accounts is another issue.
For that, I suggest changing passwords regularly and not putting account
information, passwords or links on cell phones or tablets.

 

[swditz]

hi theo
we also were part of the hack. Your mom should have been notified by mail with directions for what she can do. They provide 2 years protection with All Clear at no cost. All Clear secure requires no action, All Clear pro does require you to go on to the Anthem web site and follow the link to All Clear, and provide the info needed.
For added security you can freeze her account. The only down side is it can take longer to get new credit, but doesn't sound like she will need to. They also list the links and phone numbers to the three credit bureaus. once you enact the freeze with one they notify the other two and all three will have the freeze active.
scott

 

[bogey21]

Long intro, short question: What exactly is the "credit freeze" drill?
--- Contact TransUnion, Equifax and Experian separately and individually?
--- Something different (...or something additional)?
--- Any other actions or pertinent recommendations?

Input is requested and appreciated from anyone with direct, first hand knowledge and experience (not theoretical or philosophical advice, please) in initiating a complete and permanent "credit freeze".

I did this a couple of years ago. Went to the website for each of the 3 Credit Reporting Agencies. I was able to freeze my credit right on the website for two of them. On the other there was a form I had to mail in. Cost was exactly $10 for two of them and $12+ for the other I think because they are domiciled in TX and I live in TX.

I have had to temporarily remove the freeze twice, once to change cell phone companies and the other to release my car. In both cases the company I was dealing with told me the Agency they were using; gave me the phone; and dialed their number. All I needed was the 8 digit code I got when I established the freeze. They asked me how long I wanted the freeze removed. In both cases I chose 24 hours. Later I received an email from the Credit Reporting Agency advising me that the freeze had been reestablished.

All in all the whole process from setting up the freezes and removing them temporarily went smoothly and without a hitch.

George

 

[bogey21]

They also list the links and phone numbers to the three credit bureaus. once you enact the freeze with one they notify the other two and all three will have the freeze active.

I think this process is when you have elected to free 90 day freeze after you have experienced a hack. For the permanent freeze I had to contact each of the Credit Reporting Agencies individually.

George

 

[MULTIZ321]

Hi Theo,

Let s know if you are successful in completing the permanent freeze for your mom with your Power of Attorney.

Thanks

Richard

 

[swditz]

I think this process is when you have elected to free 90 day freeze after you have experienced a hack. For the permanent freeze I had to contact each of the Credit Reporting Agencies individually.

George

that is correct. after the 90 days you will have to do each separately.
scott

 

[theo]

Hi Theo,

Let s know if you are successful in completing the permanent freeze for your mom with your Power of Attorney.

Thanks

Richard

Hi Richard:

I will certainly report back, but the PoA may not be relevant and / or necessary to invoke. Mom is certainly of sound mind and I can just initiate all of the "freeze" requests in her physical presence, thereby essentially (and lawfully) appearing to the "big 3" credit reporting entities that she is directly initiating the actions herself. Surely simpler than introducing the complication of PoA authority to entities that may or may not even understand same.

Frankly, I don't hold the Anthem offer of "all clear" assistance in particularly high regard. I'm seeking to "avoid problems" rather than "fix problems after the fact" --- the latter of which I can certainly accomplish without "all clear" involvement or assistance anyhow.

 

[swditz]

I agree about being proactive. I'm not sure how effective the all clear secure would be. Having 2 under 18 we are using the all clear PRO. having data basis searched for use of their personal information seemed prudent.

 

[Wyominguy]

Credit reporting freeze

All,

I froze our credit reports years ago way before they put any ability to do this online. I had to send letters to each of the three and it was a pain in the butt. They still do not make this really easy to do, especially if you misplace your PIN number. Keep that available.

You also need to have it lifted to set up an online Social Security account from the one agency that I believe was Equifax.

Overall I am glad we did this but wish there was some way to know who or what has tried to check my reports these past years to see if it was worth the hassle.

Neil

 

[presley]

Long intro, short question: What exactly is the "credit freeze" drill?
--- Contact TransUnion, Equifax and Experian separately and individually?
--- Something different (...or something additional)?
--- Any other actions or pertinent recommendations?

Input is requested and appreciated from anyone with direct, first hand knowledge and experience (not theoretical or philosophical advice, please) in initiating a complete and permanent "credit freeze". I want to better protect my elderly mother's financial affairs; she certainly won't be applying for any loans or any more credit cards...

It's very easy. All I did was google "security freeze transunion" and then the other 2. I followed the instructions on each website. It costs $10 for each freeze and anytime you do an unfreeze. If she ever wants to submit a credit application somewhere, she can unfreeze her account for $10 for either a limited time (enough time for the creditor to check the report) or permanently.

One of the agencies sent me a form to fill out if I wanted to permanently be excluded from random credit offers. I did send it in. It said their normal policy was to only stop that for 2 years.

EDIT TO ADD: Go ahead and do any other offers to protect identity, too. I found out that I got something free with triple A and through my credit union. I am having my credit monitored even though I froze all my accounts.

 

[tompalm]

I did this about five years ago and have no regrets. It does take some time to unfreeze your credit should you need to do a refi on a house on something else. The only surprise is that I tried to set up an account on the social security website and was not able to do that. They will not provide any info on your account if your credit is frozen.

 

[theo]

Thanks!

Take a look at this webpage from the Federal Trade Commission:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs
It explains how it works and the difference between a freeze + fraud alert.

For fraud alerts, see this webpage:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert

These pages link you to the three principal credit report agency websites.

Fraudulent access to bank, savings or investment accounts is another issue.
For that, I suggest changing passwords regularly and not putting account
information, passwords or links on cell phones or tablets.

Sincere thanks for your efforts in providing those links. I've always regarded the FTC as a largely toothless "paper tiger" entity of little authority and even less actual impact, but there is nonetheless certainly some very good advice and guidance to be found within those articles. Thanks again.

I think I've got most of the other bases covered, since I primarily control and routinely monitor anything pertaining to Mom's bank accounts, investment accounts, etc. Whether coincidence or not, there has been a very significant "uptick" in her incoming phone calls from unknown (probably spoofed anyhow) numbers in recent months. Whether this is somehow related to the data breach, I surely can't say. She won't answer any incoming call whose number she does not immediately recognize on caller i.d. anyhow, so this new development is an unwelcome annoyance but not otherwise "tactically" problematic.

Thanks once again for the links and useful info therein; your effort is much appreciated.

 

[Miss Marty]

Impostor Credit Reporting Sites

Beware of Imposter Web sites that contain domain names similar to annual credit report . com or that take advantage of common misspellings

Some of these sites ask for highly sensitive information like names, social security numbers and addresses to steal a consumer's identity and apply for credit in his or her name.

To avoid these scams, it is recommended that consumers order their free annual credit report by phone, not online.

 

[tante]

Beware of Imposter Web sites that contain domain names similar to annual credit report . com or that take advantage of common misspellings

Some of these sites ask for highly sensitive information like names, social security numbers and addresses to steal a consumer's identity and apply for credit in his or her name.

To avoid these scams, it is recommended that consumers order their free annual credit report by phone, not online.

You can also just google the name of the credit bureau and add credit freeze to the search.

Experian credit freeze
Transunion credit freeze
Equifax credit freeze

Google will even fix your spelling mistakes.

 

[Talent312]

To avoid these scams, it is recommended that consumers order their free annual credit report by phone, not online.

For several years, I've used the website. It's not hard to find.
For safety, all just bookmark it and go back to it each year.
http://www.annualcreditreport.com will land you at:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
.

 

["Roger"]

Question: When you unfreeze your security freeze are you usually told by the inquiring body (credit card company that you are applying to, etc.) which of the three companies you need to unfreeze? Or do you have to unfreeze all three?

 

[bogey21]

Question: When you unfreeze your security freeze are you usually told by the inquiring body (credit card company that you are applying to, etc.) which of the three companies you need to unfreeze? Or do you have to unfreeze all three?

I just asked which of the 3 Credit Reporting Agencies they were going to use and unfroze that one for 24 hours. Only needed to do it twice and it worked well both times.

George