Definitely a good idea. I was informed by Equfax and TMobile that my records were exposed by their poor security. I was also informed by my credit card issuer that my social security number was found on the dark web

So I have a credit freeze in place with the 4 largest credit reporting agencies. In theory, this should prevent someone from taking out a loan or opening a bank account in my name

Note: There are more than 20 different credit reporting agencies … So freezing the top 4 does not stop the other 16 …. But the other 16 are much less used and more specialized

Florida is a state that allows your credit score to impact your car insurance rates. If you are shopping for car insurance it is a good idea to unfreeze your credit at the big 3 (equifax, transunion, experian) during the process.

You need to lock/unlock each agency separately. I have found the process to temporarily unlock easy by using the phone automated system. But have had many rejections when trying to use their web interface to unfreeze of one of the companies (i don’t remember which one.

You maybe under the radar, but you are still susceptible, to loan, mortgage and bank fraud. A common fraud is for someone to use your name & social security number to open a bank account in your name using your credit rating. They then are able to take out loans, get credit, or credit cards in your name. They then runoff with the goods and you are stuck with the loans and credit card debt. This is a very common kind of ID theft fraud and has nothing to do with your current credit limits or cards.

Some years ago, someone opened a credit card in my name at Target and bought $5k in products. I never knew it until I got a bill from Target. After fighting with Target, filing reports with FTC and BBB, I finally froze my credit so no more cards could be opened in my name. I only wish it could be permanent.

Freeze your Credit with all 4 Credit Reporting agencies. The fourth is Innovis. I believe all 4 are still free. Most U.S. consumer credit information is collected and kept by the four national traditional consumer reporting agencies: Experian (formerly TRW Information Systems & Services and the CCN Group), Equifax, TransUnion, and Innovis (which was purchased from First Data Corporation in 1999 by CBC Companies).

ONLY thing you can do to not get hacked BUT you cannot buy anything that has a credit check until you unfreeze online for a few days

And request a pin from IRS so somebody can't try and file your taxes

Credit freeze definitely yes!
 

I worked for someone that had their identity stolen. He left shortly thereafter, on an INTERNATIONAL months vacation! I was stuck cleaning up the MESS left by those that had stolen his accounts through Paypal. NEVER EVER AGAIN.
I had locked my personal credit bureau accounts years ago and based on what I had to do for him, I’ve always been glad I did.
Just “unlock” your accounts (with a simple recorded phone call) for a few days when you know you are going to make that next big purchase.
I applied for a Kohls charge once at the register and was declined. I was insulted as I knew I had the highest possible rating. I realized a few days later when I received the Kohl’s letter that my credit card account was locked. Lol. LOCK IT, YOU’LL NEVER BE SORRY

Freeze it for peace of mind
 

I had mine frozen for a long time then with all the retirement, moving, purchasing new homes opened it and forgot to freeze after the dealings were done. When I received 10 bank statements in the mail from an Arkansas bank I never opened I refroze them.

Frozen credit
 

I agree with the others. I have all three frozen, but you can freeze or unfreeze them on line. You can also set up temporary unfreezes on line for whatever time frame you need. Keep the crooks at bay.

Yes, always request a time line for a freeze, unfreeze, then refreeze again, that way it will be frozen without you manually doing so.

Credit
 

No because usually. U open a service plan also

It is a good way to protect yourself and it only costs the time to visit the three credit reporting agency sites. When applying for a loan explain to the finance person that you will un freeze your reports for one day so they can ask for credit information.

Yes, credit karma lets you know an account has been opened in your name. Then the person giving them the credit is out the money from whatever they bought.
Freezing your credit prevents anyone, even you, from ever being able to open an account in your name. It has to be unlocked to open your credit history in order to buy a car, home or open a charge account.

Excellent responses from folks, here are some add'l items that I use
 

Michael, besides the credit freezes on the "4" sites as mentioned,
I also obtained a AAA Mastercard (no annual fee) which comes with ID theft protection as an added benefit. You load selected personal information and the service searches the DARK web to see if any of this information is available for sale and alerts you if something is found. We've loaded not only our 2 email addresses (but our kids also), passport numbers, driver's license, checking account #, phone numbers, medical ID #, and much more. Amazingly, it's the kids of whom I get alerts that they have a website account / password exposed.
I also have a subscription to Norton 360 antivirus and that comes with ID monitoring. It's not as full featured as the AAA M/C. It also comes with Privacy Monitor and tells you how much of YOU is out in the internet such as your age, name, addresses (both current and past), telephone numbers and on and on. You can elect to subscribe to their service to trying to delete yourself from the internet. I have elected not to do that.

Michael, I also recommend turning on 2-factor authentication for your accounts. When you first log in, it will send a code to your phone. After that, it saves a cookie and you don't have to do it again unless you clear your cache. It's never happened to me yet, but I'd freak out if Chase sent a verification code to my phone. I'd then know that something may be amiss.

As for the Credit freeze, it's not as big of pain as you may think. I may unfreeze my credit reports once every 18 months for something.

Best of luck for you.

Thanks for recommendations.
With all the personal information we create on the web, this is very useful.

I worked for the Government, and my personal information was hacked at least 3 times - information they need to steal my identity. Freezing my credit was the only sure protection against the latter, no one (including me) could take out a credit card, buy a car, etc using my identity. Only I have the PIN codes to unfreeze the accounts.

I did because last year I got a call from a Credit Union In CA that said they think my identity was stolen. Someone had applied to them for a loan with my SS and info. So they ran a credit check on me and noticed 2 other credit inquiries on me. Six credit unions had recent loan applications on me. I contacted them all and send letters to them. I found the six on a credit report. I froze my credit on the 3 sites and signed up for two credit monitoring services. All of the fraudulent applications used an old address of mine with a miss spelled last name. I did a change of address on that address and did receive some forwarding mail. Thought it was interesting the applied to credit unions.- must have more success there. I have since unfroze one due to applying for a car loan. Have not refroze but will soon.