Comments on: Credit Report Freezes (How to Stop ID Theft, Part 1) http://www.jeremyduffy.com Helping to protect families and their loved ones from manipulation and fraud Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:24:22 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jeremy http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-9821 Jeremy Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:06:28 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-9821 Richard: You don't. That's sort of the point. You'll have to contact the credit reporting companies and apply for a new PIN. Richard: You don’t. That’s sort of the point. You’ll have to contact the credit reporting companies and apply for a new PIN.

]]> By: Richard http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-9820 Richard Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:40:27 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-9820 I loss the PIN number for my account. How do I unfreeze my reports without the PIN? I loss the PIN number for my account. How do I unfreeze my reports without the PIN?

]]> By: Sofia Hogan http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-9419 Sofia Hogan Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:34:30 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-9419 Great Information - I wanted to share this information today with my friends on Twitter because I do feel we all tend to get a bit lazy about our information. Predators are everywhere! Great Information – I wanted to share this information today with my friends on Twitter because I do feel we all tend to get a bit lazy about our information. Predators are everywhere!

]]> By: Curtis http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-9067 Curtis Tue, 12 May 2009 00:34:57 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-9067 Jeremy- I put a credit freeze on my credit with Experian and Trans Union. It looks like Equafax does not have an online(easy) way to place a freeze except by mail. Since I have a freeze with Experian and Trans Union do I still need to do one with Equafax? Thanks Jeremy-

I put a credit freeze on my credit with Experian and Trans Union. It looks like Equafax does not have an online(easy) way to place a freeze except by mail. Since I have a freeze with Experian and Trans Union do I still need to do one with Equafax?

Thanks

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-9054 Jeremy Fri, 08 May 2009 13:14:08 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-9054 It's no more a risk than sending bills, birthday cards, contracts, or anything else that goes by mail. For someone to get it, they'd have to know it was important and want it that badly. Even if someone did manage to get that data, once your credit is frozen, it's not going to help them much. It’s no more a risk than sending bills, birthday cards, contracts, or anything else that goes by mail. For someone to get it, they’d have to know it was important and want it that badly. Even if someone did manage to get that data, once your credit is frozen, it’s not going to help them much.

]]> By: Mike http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-9051 Mike Fri, 08 May 2009 08:05:17 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-9051 I am going to have to agree with Jason above. My state, Nevada, seems to have the certified mail requirement, asking for SSN, name, date of birth, utility bill, driver's license, previous addresses.... Seriously, doesn't this amount to giving your identity away? Just stuff it all in an envelope and it's handled by the postal service and the clerk that gets it at Equifax, Experian and Trans Union..... Your thoughts? I am going to have to agree with Jason above. My state, Nevada, seems to have the certified mail requirement, asking for SSN, name, date of birth, utility bill, driver’s license, previous addresses…. Seriously, doesn’t this amount to giving your identity away? Just stuff it all in an envelope and it’s handled by the postal service and the clerk that gets it at Equifax, Experian and Trans Union….. Your thoughts?

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-5998 Jeremy Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:18:19 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-5998 @Jesus: No. It won't affect any reporting to your credit card by people you already have an existing relationship with. Instead, it prevents any NEW credit checks from occurring. @Jesus:

No. It won’t affect any reporting to your credit card by people you already have an existing relationship with. Instead, it prevents any NEW credit checks from occurring.

]]> By: Jesus http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-5989 Jesus Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:27:11 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-5989 Does putting a credit freeze on your account prevent your credit score from increasing? Does putting a credit freeze on your account prevent your credit score from increasing?

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-5210 Jeremy Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:41:59 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-5210 Chris: You are right and thank you for adding details. I meant to say that it prevents a would-be thief from getting your data (for example, you brother or some schmoe in Nicaragua). The exceptions you listed, I'm aware of, but didn't think to clarify. I did not know about the loophole however. Do you have any information or links concerning that? Regardless, credit freezes are still the best protection by far compared to any other options. Chris: You are right and thank you for adding details. I meant to say that it prevents a would-be thief from getting your data (for example, you brother or some schmoe in Nicaragua). The exceptions you listed, I’m aware of, but didn’t think to clarify.

I did not know about the loophole however. Do you have any information or links concerning that?

Regardless, credit freezes are still the best protection by far compared to any other options.

]]> By: Chris Snyder http://www.jeremyduffy.com/top-issues/credit-security-freezes/comment-page-1#comment-5205 Chris Snyder Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:14:22 +0000 http://localhost/blog/index.php/how-to-stop-id-theft-part-1-credit-security-freezes/#comment-5205 Jeremy: Your information is excellent but its not technically correct. For example, on credit freezes, you state: "Not will this prevent ANYONE from accessing your credit without your prior permission, because thawing the account is currently not an instant process, it will help reduce the amount of impulse spending and new credit that has been getting people into so much trouble." Your wrong; a credit freeze prevents MOST activity but not all. First, if you have an existing account with any merchant, they continue to get unfettered access...period. Secondly, any of the three credit agencies or merchants can access data under the provision of "maintenance and upkeep" portion of the law. They just say they need access on your file to verify or update data or records, and they get it. This is a hige loophole, it allows for abuse because there are no penalties or "watchdogs". Finally, the court system, the FEDs, and even corporations via pending class action suits can get access. In summary, its not even close to being a "Freeze"; its a band-aid that consumers got suckered into paying for when it should be free. The best way to fix this is to send a searing message (or e-mail) to our elected representatives and hold them accountable for fixing the holes in the system! If we can't get their attention with our words, we'll get it with our VOTE! Jeremy:

Your information is excellent but its not technically correct. For example, on credit freezes, you state:

“Not will this prevent ANYONE from accessing your credit without your prior permission, because thawing the account is currently not an instant process, it will help reduce the amount of impulse spending and new credit that has been getting people into so much trouble.”

Your wrong; a credit freeze prevents MOST activity but not all. First, if you have an existing account with any merchant, they continue to get unfettered access…period. Secondly, any of the three credit agencies or merchants can access data under the provision of “maintenance and upkeep” portion of the law. They just say they need access on your file to verify or update data or records, and they get it. This is a hige loophole, it allows for abuse because there are no penalties or “watchdogs”. Finally, the court system, the FEDs, and even corporations via pending class action suits can get access. In summary, its not even close to being a “Freeze”; its a band-aid that consumers got suckered into paying for when it should be free.

The best way to fix this is to send a searing message (or e-mail) to our elected representatives and hold them accountable for fixing the holes in the system! If we can’t get their attention with our words, we’ll get it with our VOTE!

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