Byte Sized Security

Ep8: Securing Your Credit Reports and Freezes


Listen Later

In this episode, Marc David speaks with credit expert Olivia Chen about best practices for safeguarding your credit reports and identity including:

  • Placing credit freezes with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to restrict new account openings
  • Lifting freezes temporarily when applying for new credit using your PIN
  • Freezing children’s credit reports until they are old enough to manage credit
  • Checking your credit reports annually for signs of fraudulent activity
  • Reviewing reports to verify personal info and watch for unauthorized accounts
  • Disputing fraudulent charges, closing accounts and reporting identity theft
  • Putting freezes and monitoring in place proactively even if not breach impacted
  • Making credit protections part of your regular financial security regimen

For full episode recaps and cybersecurity tips, visit bytesizedsecurity.show or subscribe to the podcast. See you next time!

---

I do hope you enjoyed this episode of the podcast. Here's some helpful resources including any sites that were mentioned in this episode.

--

Sites Mentioned in this Episode

  • IdentityTheft.gov - Recovery Steps - Hopefully you won't need this resource but if you do or you know somebody who needs help with Identity Theft
  • Annual Credit Report.com - Home Page - The free way to request your credit report, annually, from the big agencies
  • Credit Freeze | Freeze My Credit | TransUnion
  • Security Freeze | Freeze or Unfreeze Your Credit | Equifax
  • How to Freeze Your Credit For Free - Experian
  • Free credit freezes are here | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • What To Know About Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts | Consumer Advice
  • How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion - This article from Clark Howard provides excellent guidance on how to freeze and unfreeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus to prevent identity theft.

--

Find subscriber links on my site, add to your podcast player, or listen on the web players on my site:

Listen to Byte Sized Security

--

Support this Podcast with a Tip:

Support Byte Sized Security

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Byte Sized SecurityBy Marc David