Tag Archives: credit

Credit, Security Breaches, and Freezes – Protect Yourself!

While this is not normal subject matter for the MDS Tech site,  this IS a part of the digital life we are living that we all have to deal with.

The recent massive Equifax security breach is a huge example of network breaches that occur just about every day. One of the problems is that the thieves will often sit on the data until things cool down -i.e. people forget about it – THEN they try to use or sell the stolen data to steal people’s identities.

What can they do with it?

  • Buy stuff for themselves, but you get the bill is common.
  • So is getting ID papers using your credentials – opening accounts, not paying for things….ruinng YOUR credit and not theirs.

What can YOU do about it?

Freeze your credit. If you have ANY banking/payments/accounts, you probably have a file at the three credit agencies – which is sometimes true even if you are only 12 years old. Freezing your credit means that no one can open an account in your name with the PIN number – and for heaven’s sake, don’t lose that number [NOR should you carry it in your wallet or purse!]

In Georgia it costs $3 to freeze your credit unless you have been a victim of ID theft. You would unfreeze it if you are applying for credit at a new institution – any place you ALREADY have a financial relationship with already has permission to access your info.

These articles have more [easy to read] information, plus links to get started: