With so much of our personal information floating in cyberspace, it's easy to feel helpless to control what happens to it.
No matter how big or small, all breaches have the potential to open affected consumers to identity theft.
A credit freeze is one of the best ways to prevent criminals from using fake accounts in your name.
Freezes restrict access to your credit file, stops new accounts from being opened without verification from you.
Until recently, requesting and lifting a credit freeze as a preventative measure cost Arizonans $5 for every single occurrence.
Earlier in 2018, the Arizona Legislature passed a law to make the process free. On September 21, a new federal law will force the rest of the country to follow.
Other changes include allowing parents to freeze their minor child's credit file and requiring credit bureaus react more quickly to requests.
Consumers still have to put in individual requests with each of the credit bureaus, and still will not be able to get credit without first removing the freeze.
Experian Credit Freeze Online Request or call (888) 397-3742
Equifax Credit Freeze Online Request or call (800) 685-1111
TransUnion Credit Freeze Online Request or call (888) 909-8872
