GREENSBORO, NC -- You don't have to use credit cards to need a credit freeze or check your credit report. EVERYONE had a credit file. These credit bureaus make their living off of having a file on you about your financial identity. So while this latest data breach might not seem to affect you, it does.
Your credit report is one factor in figuring out your credit score so you want to make sure there aren't any errors. And you want to make sure some schemer isn't opening up credit in your name!
A credit report is free. Every year you get a free report from each one of the three bureaus: Experian, Trans Union and Equifax.
Get Your: FREE CREDIT REPORT
To make the most of this free security check, space out those reports. For example, this month get the free report from Experian. In September, get the free report from Trans Union. Then, in January get the free report from Equifax.
You should never pay to get your credit report. You should get your free report at annualcreditreport.com.
The Government set up this site to make sure you didn't have to pay.
It’s important not to Google it, chances are you'll end up at another site.
Why get a credit freeze? This allows you to block identity thieves from opening up credit in your name and steal your money. You should freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus. Use the links or do it by mail:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348//1-800-685-1111
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013//1-888-397-3742
TU Protected Consumer Freeze
P.O. Box 380 Woodlyn, PA 19094//1-800-916-8800
And yes, you need to do it with all three. A freeze on one doesn’t mean a ID thief can’t try it on the other two.
Credit Freeze Facts
Freezing your credit keeps the bad guys out.
You can still use all your credit cards.
When you want to apply for a loan or a new credit card, you simply unfreeze your credit.