It’s not often there are financial things basically everyone should do, regardless of their situation. This – a free credit freeze – is one of those things.
Good news! The government has done something to help you, and that would be requiring the three major credit reporting agencies to offer a credit freeze to consumers – FOR FREE.
GRATIS. NADA. ZIP.
Don’t take my word for it, listen to (or read) the details via NPR here.
Unless you expect to be applying for credit tomorrow, it makes sense for anyone with something to lose (this means you and me) to lock down their credit. I’ve done the hard work for you below:
Freeze via Equifax
Freeze via Experian
Freeze via Transunion
Don’t forget to freeze with all three. Yes, it’s super annoying to have to do this three times, but how often do we lowly consumers get a good deal thrown our way from the powers that be? Not often. So for the sake of your financial security, take the 15 minutes and freeze your credit. Thieves will hate you but Future You will look back at you with pride.