Freezing your credit

 Let’s talk about “freezing your credit”. It is one of the best ways to keep thieves from opening new accounts in your name. Not so long ago, a credit freeze was a tool usually reserved for people who had suffered identity theft. But as data breaches have piled up, the freeze has become more widely recognized as the most effective way to protect your credit, even if a thief hasn't yet made fraudulent use of your personal information. The reason: When you place a credit freeze (also known as a security freeze) on your credit reports, new creditors can't review them to judge whether you're eligible for a credit card or loan -- and in turn, lenders are unlikely to grant credit to fraudsters posing as you. When you need to shop for credit, you can temporarily lift the freeze. To set up a credit freeze, take these three steps.1. Gather your information. At a minimum, you'll have to supply identifying information such as your Social Security number, birth date and address. If you haven't lived at your current home for more than a couple of years, you may need to have your previous address on hand, too. Depending on the credit agency, you may need to set up a PIN that you'll use to confirm your identity when you want to temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze. 2. Contact each credit agency. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, their contact information is online or contact Robin she has their addresses, phone numbers and links to websites. 3. Save your PINs and passwords and keep them in a safe place. Call 320-679-5183 or go to yoursafemoneyshow.com.