Hackers have become a regular concern not only for big corporations or the government , but for individuals too. Hacking can cost from thousands to millions of dollars so everyone should know how to protect themselves from these criminals.
Hackers often use electronics to steal from those with an active online presence. This is the reason vendors who sell electronics always have some kind notice, like an actual pamphlet or online notification, against identity thieves.
Freezing Accounts
If your personal data is stolen online, prevent any more hackers from easily gaining access to your account by freezing bank, store,credit card companies, or individuals from opening your accounts for anything.
However, this also means that it’ll be defficult-but still possible- for you to access your own account. The credit bureaus can unfreeze your frozen credit report so that you can start using them again (or freeze it again if neccessary) But this will cost you especially if you fail to submit their requirements for proof of identity if you fail to submit their requirements for proof od identity. Set aside up to $30 for the three credit bureaus and prepare to go through the process separately eith each one.
Remember that you need your credit report every time you open a new account. It sounds tedious , but it only takes about five minutes on the phone, or via an online form, to unfreeze and freeze your credit report.
Most creditors use only one credit bureau so you don’t have to transact with all three every time. Just unfreeze the creditor’s bureau of you choice.
To Freeze or Not to Freeze
If your job needs your credit report regularly of if you open new accounts with creditors most of the time, then freezing can be a problem for you. However, doing so, especially when your credit report is not needed,is a great safety net for identity theft.
You can go online and access the individual websites of the agencies or call them. Be ready with all the necessary information that they need to prove your identity.
Credit Monitoring
Credit agencies sell the concept of credit monitoring because it’s a source of revenue for them (at $10 to $20monthly) Paying customers subscribe to a lock feature with the promise of security of their personal information .
However, credit monitoring only sends out the alarm when somebody actually attemts to open an account in your name. Before you could so something about it , the damage could’ve already been done.
Security Freese can prevent anybody from opening any new account in your name without the PIN for each of the agencies. Securiy Freese charges about $30 one-time compared to the monthy $ 20 fees of credit monitoring. You can unfreeze for free if you can prove that you are a victim of identity theft by filing a report and going through the process.
Your Other Option
If freesing credit reports isn’t for you, the can place a free fraud alert that works for 90days. The process requires you to file a police report.
