Credit Reports

Check your file at annualcreditreport.com and verify its accuracy; dispute incorrect information.
This is a government-mandated website, signed into law (FACTA) in 2003 by George W. Bush, which allows
you to pull each report once every 12 months.

Checking for changes to this may help identify if you’re a victim of identity theft.

If you become a victim of identity theft (a crime was committed):

1. File a police report. You should be able to go to your local station.
2. You should freeze your files with all three bureaus. A freeze is different from an initial 90 day fraud
alert: more info from FTC. Freezing is free with a valid police report.
3. Make sure you fill out a Form 14039 and send to the IRS.

Fraud Alert
If you do nothing else, place an initial 90 day fraud alert on your file. This is free and will require lenders to
contact you if someone (including yourself) tries to apply for credit. Government FTC info.
• You only have to do this with one bureau in order for the alert to be placed on all three, and it should
take less than 5 minutes:
• Equifax OR 1-888-766-0008f
• Experian OR 1-888-397-3742
• Transunion OR 1-800-680-7289
• An Initial Fraud Alert (also called a 90-day fraud alert, per above) is for when you're concerned about
identity theft, but haven't yet become a victim. This can be done at any time, for any reason, as long
as you can certify that you have a good faith suspicion that you have been or are about to become a
victim of fraud or related crime, including identity theft.
• An Extended Fraud Alert lasts for 7 years, for persons who are victims of identity theft.

FTC on Fraud Alert vs. Freeze.

Freezing Credit
You may also want to place security freezes on different credit providers.
With a security freeze you will be given a PIN number and lenders will not be able to access your credit
report without this PIN.

Does this cost money?

Fees vary by your state. Equifax is waving fees currently, and they’re typically free if you have a valid police
report.

Does unfreezing cost money?

Yes, but only slightly. It will cost about $30 to unfreeze all three when you need to finance something.

Does this affect my credit score?

No. Your credit will go on as usual, but nothing new can be added or inquired during the freeze. You will still
be able to use your credit card.
Here are the links / phone numbers (automatic system) to initiate a credit freeze—you must freeze each
individually:
• TransUnion Security Freeze: 1-888-909-8872
• Experian Security Freeze: 1-888-397-3742
• Equifax Security Freeze: 1-800-349-9960
• Innovis Security Freeze (Innovis is smaller than the other three, but you should still place a freeze
with them.)
• You also may want to place a free freeze with ChexSystems Security Freeze. A majority of banks use
this to screen new customers, and freezing will limit some scams.

What is to stop the credit thief from lifting my freeze?

A long PIN that will be supplied to you when you freeze it. This is pretty much it so make sure not to lose that.
If there is another breach like this while you have the freeze, unfreeze it ASAP, then freeze it again to get a
new PIN.

• TransUnion allows you to set your own PIN.

• Experian will send it in the mail.
• Equifax will set it for you and give it to you over the phone after your freeze is initiated.
Do not hang up until you have it written down! You can make it replay the message over and over
(with *).
• A caveat about Security Freezes from /u/Darkbyte : "Equifax allows you to get a new PIN to
unfreeze with if you provide personal identification, such as (seriously) the info that was
stolen. I would not be shocked if the other two allow the same."