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Realistic-Pay-6931@reddit

Completely freezing your credit reports.

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Maddoxfotos@reddit

Moving a lot helps.

Makes it hard for a scammer to guess verification questions when trying to unfreeze credit score

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You can’t unfreeze credit online or over the phone anymore with any of the credit bureaus. You have to FedEx them copies of documents and jumps through other crazy hoops. Bc even unfreezing online isn’t secure so they stopped doing it.

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IGetBag2022@reddit

You don't know what your talking about so stop talking

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Maddoxfotos@reddit

Hmm, must not be with all credit bureaus because i just unlocked mine few days ago over the phone.

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postapocalypticbagel@reddit

https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze

How long do freeze requests take?

Freeze requests:

Online or by phone: agencies must freeze your credit report within one business day
By mail: agencies must freeze your credit report within three business days

Unfreeze requests:

Online or by phone: agencies must lift the freeze within one hour
By mail: agencies must lift the freeze within three business days

Updated July 2, 2024

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monsteronmars@reddit

yes, I just checked actually, it looks like this has changed recently.

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monsteronmars@reddit

This 👆🏽!!! It is extremely difficult to unfreeze and cannot be done online or over the phone! Best way to protect yourself!

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Anonymous_account975@reddit

This is false. Why are you spreading misinformation? You can unfreeze your credit online with the 3 bureaus.

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Just froze all 3 thank you

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Shrimpboatcaptain1@reddit

Beat me to it

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thatBreadGuy22@reddit

Ask the BeeKeeper

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bleu_flame@reddit

Never click on email links. Go to the website manually. Many emails trick you into clicking by giving you a sense of urgency, but do not click the links.

Never trust phone calls or emails from your bank or the government. They usually contact you via mail.

+1 For password managers with long, complicated passwords. I like Bitwarden, but I recommend doing your own research for which service to trust

+1 For 2-factor Authentication. Do not use SMS, unless it is your only option. It is possible for hackers to spoof your phone number and receive your texts.

Never use Yahoo Email. If you're using Yahoo, transition your accounts to a more secure email provider, such as gmail.

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CrazyCatSTL@reddit

Gmail is also not secure. I recommend paying to set up a domain and email service with GoDaddy or a similar provider if you have sensitive information in your emails.

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bleu_flame@reddit

70 year old grandparents and 18 year old college kids are not going to set up their own domain and email services. The best security is the easiest idiot-proof solution. 2FA is already tough enough for some people.

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Shrimpboatcaptain1@reddit

Freezing your trans union, Equifax and Experian credit accounts. Thats literally the only way to prevent someone stealing your identity. You unfreeze them when you need to apply for a loan.

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

My question is can’t the scammers unfreeze it just as easy? They have my ssn 😞

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monsteronmars@reddit

They can’t anymore! You can’t unlock them online or over the phone - you have to send in personal documents, copies of ID, birth certificates, etc, and forms via FedEx.

My fiancé’s SSN was stolen and used to apply for government small business loans so we just went through hell with this and here is what we recommend to do to cover your butt:

If your physical card was stolen, call the police non-emergency line and leave a message to make a police report. They will call you back and create a report. (This can help protect you legally.)

You do need to alert 3 federal agencies that it was stolen to cover all of your bases:

Inform the Social Security Administration by reporting the theft here:

You can report it here: https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/report-stolen-number#:~:text=Report%20a%20stolen%20Social%20Security,a%20victim%20of%20identity%20theft.

Here is a good guide on what the social security administration says to do: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf

You also need to report it to the Federal Trade Commission. This way if someone uses your SSN to commit fraud, there will be a documented report that your SSN was stolen and it can help protect you. This website allows you to report it: https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/

Other helpful links from the FTC: https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft

Report your stolen SSN to the IRS. Call and ask them how to report it and what you need to do to protect yourself and what they can do for you: 800-908-4490 ext: 245

In addition, it would be helpful to sign up for a service that monitors things for you. There are a lot out there like Aura and Life Lock.

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Thank you so much for that info. I was told by all 3 bureaus that I can go online and temporarily unfreeze my credit reports, but only one gave me a pin code to use for if I ever do that.

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monsteronmars@reddit

Wow, well they may have changed in the last year or so. It’s a shame really, it shouldn’t be that easy.

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Ssii47@reddit

I work in the fraud department for a bank. Sadly it’s hard, only thing you do is do not believe anyone who calls you and claims to be from the bank. The bank will never call you. They sent letters. Always always call the number on your card and confirm.

On top of that, since now tap 2 pay is more common you can use Apple Pay or google pay instead of your credit card, to prevent them from copying your credit card info. Do not use your debit card unless you have too.

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Big-Significance-214@reddit

Yall hiring? Also work in fraud and risk

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Thank you very much for that info.

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Wonderful_Tackle_579@reddit

I just use someone else's identity to prevent anyone from knowing mine 👍

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Less_Professional896@reddit

Hey. This is the original Wonderful_Tackle_579 here, and I demand you return my identity!!!

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Positive_Egg_7024@reddit

TrustShield.com

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Thank you I will check them out. I need a monitoring service

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lordb4@reddit

As someone who works in the security industry, I would NEVER sign up with a monitoring service like that. It actually increases your risk because it does very little (some providers are pure snake oil) and is just an extra point of exposure.

Google what happened to the owner of LifeLock. He's has had his identity stolen multiple times.

As other people said, freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus. That is a billion times more effective than any of the monitoring services.

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Oh ok. Good to know. Luckily I have frozen my credit reports but I am still worried they will be able to unfreeze it due to my ssn being compromised 😔 only one of the bureaus gave me a PIN code for unfreezing.

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lordb4@reddit

No security is ever perfect but the amount of risk and trouble they would have to go through to unfreeze and then take out a line of credit in your name is a lot more than if it was not frozen. They will pick an easier target 99% of the time.

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Elbynerual@reddit

Having very long passwords.

Longer passwords are stronger than shorter, but complicated passwords.

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monsteronmars@reddit

Not just this but unique passwords for EVERY SINGLE SITE. Why is this important? Bc if you use the same password for a stupid website that gets hacked that you use for your financial institution or email, you are screwed. If you have a unique password for every website, then when sites get hacked and your user name, email and password are compromised and sold online, that password and your email address can’t be used to access any other site.

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jaxsedrin@reddit

To expand on this:

Use a password manager. Don't write down your passwords on paper or save them in text/word/spreadsheet files.
When offered, use two-factor authentication
When offered, use passkeys
NEVER EVER re-use the same password across multiple sites/services
If you ever receive an email, text, or phone call saying there is an issue with an account/order, do not respond with any information or click on any links. Instead, type in the company's website yourself to go visit it and log in, or look up a customer service phone number on their website and call it yourself.
Sign up for notifications when your account shows up on lists of hacked accounts from https://haveibeenpwned.com

And like the previous commenter said, longer is better than more complex. Relevant xkcd

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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unexpected_dan@reddit

The wiki of /r/personalfinance has a great section on identity theft

/r/personalfinance/s/Kp2SGTuSO1

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Dragonborne2020@reddit

I use malwarebytes on my computer. It is awesome.

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Unlucky-Pianist-7429@reddit

I’ve accepted it’s inevitable and bought insurance. I use Zander and it covers up to a million in losses and handles any credit bureau issues.

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Oh wow.. definitely will be looking into this. Thank you

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kmg18dfw@reddit

Bad credit. No one wants to steal your ID.

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Yes, I have done a lot of work to improve my credit over the last few years and do have good credit. (Actually worked it up to excellent at one point) so.. yeah definitely need to take precautions, because… f*ck that. If only these people would put their intelligence and skills to good use rather than their harmful and pathetic low-life scum hustle.

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Fabulous_Start_3637@reddit

Constantly change your name, regularly burn off your fingerprints, and vet plastic surgery every six months

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

😂😂

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iPodAddict181@reddit

Need a lot more context, why are you asking this question? If you're actively under attack you should place a credit freeze with the bureaus.

If you're just concerned about a breach then the best protection is using a password manager with strong and unique passwords for every login, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever you can, and being aware of phishing/spoofing scams and social engineering.

Most credit cards also offer free identity/credit monitoring nowadays, and you can request a free full credit report per bureau per year using annualcreditreport.com.

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Em86x@reddit (OP)

Basically, a bank impersonator contacted me asking about some attempted purchases and a transfer in a different state and whether or not I approved them. The caller ID said the bank name, and they asked every single question the exact same as a bank agent and looking back, I can see how stupid I was, but my guard was let down because it’s literally said the banks name on my caller ID same number and they even sent me automated text throughout the conversation needing some verification codes and everything. Well, long story short, their attempts were to gain access to my bank login, and they changed my password. My bank froze my account instantly and nothing was stolen… but now they have a lot of my personal info. I’m so dumb

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ZamazaCallista@reddit

I typically recommend to people these two pages.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/identity-theft/what-do-if-your-identity-stolen
https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/identity-theft-information-guide

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Lyuseefur@reddit

Fido keys.