Quote:
Originally Posted by Mleeja
But if you need to unfreeze the accounts is there a charge for this?
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According to the Clark Howard Credit Freeze Guide:
"The cost to “thaw” your reports for one creditor — or for a specific period of time — ranges from free to $10."
I froze all 3 credit reports 3 weeks ago. I live in Illinois, and I was charged $10 per report. But in my opinion it was money well spent, as I still work full time, and I don't have unlimited free time to watch all 3 credit reports like a hawk. Since I have no plans to open a new credit card, buy a car or a home in the foreseeable future, a credit freeze on all 3 credit reporting agencies seemed like a prudent measure. Now I just have to remember to keep the 3 PIN's from the credit report agencies in a safe place.
I did get my Transunion credit report (free) about 2 weeks ago. Fortunately nothing suspicious was on Transunion's report. Four months from now I will have to remember to either get my Experian or Equifax credit report for free. And then 4 months after that, get the third credit report for free.
Hopefully most people know they are entitled to get their credit reports free once a year. Supposedly the best strategy is to request your credit report every 4 months from a different credit report agency on a rotating schedule.