x
Breaking News
More () »

Freeze Your Credit NOW! Feds: Capital One Hack Includes 30 Other Companies.

You can still use your credit cards, but the bad guys can't. This is a free service. Here's how you do it:

GREENSBORO, NC -- You don't have to use credit cards to need a credit freeze or check your credit report. EVERYONE had a credit file. These credit bureaus make their living off of having a file on you about your financial identity. So while this latest data breach might not seem to affect you, it does.

READ: FEDS SAY CAPITAL ONE HACKER HAD ACCESS TO 30 OTHER COMPANIES

Your credit report is one factor in figuring out your credit score so you want to make sure there aren't any errors. And you want to make sure some schemer isn't opening up credit in your name!

A credit report is free. Every year you get a free report from each one of the three bureaus: Experian, Trans Union and Equifax.

READ HERE: MARRIOTT BREACH AFFECTS 500 MILLION PEOPLE

 Get Your: FREE CREDIT REPORT

To make the most of this free security check, space out those reports. For example, this month get the free report from Experian. In September, get the free report from Trans Union. Then, in January  get the free report from Equifax.

You should never pay to get your credit report. You should get your free report at annualcreditreport.com.

The Government set up this site to make sure you didn't have to pay.

It’s important not to Google it, chances are you'll end up at another site.

Why get a credit freeze? This allows you to block identity thieves from opening up credit in your name and steal your money. You should freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus. Use the links or do it by mail:

Equifax Security Freeze

Equifax

P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348//1-800-685-1111

Experian Security Freeze

Experian

P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013//1-888-397-3742

TU Protected Consumer Freeze

TransUnion

P.O. Box 380 Woodlyn, PA 19094//1-800-916-8800

And yes, you need to do it with all three. A freeze on one doesn’t mean a ID thief can’t try it on the other two.

Credit Freeze Facts

Freezing your credit keeps the bad guys out.

You can still use all your credit cards.

When you want to apply for a loan or a new credit card, you simply unfreeze your credit.

Before You Leave, Check This Out