Re. dapperdobbs comments, there is a difference between freezing the
files and having fraud alerts put on the files. The latter supposedly
require any issuers of credit to contact you before setting up any new
accounts, but my understanding is that they don't have to do it. Used
to be you could set up fraud alerts with the credit agencies and they
held for several years. Now, you can only do so for a short period of
time (a month?) and only do it longer if you are a victim or potential
victim of identity theft due to a specific incident.
joetaxpayer is right in that some companies check your credit re****t
as a matter of routine, even if you are not specifically applying for
credit. I guess if the files are frozen they can't do that. But I
believe that any company that currently has a relation****p with you
(credit card, etc.) can still access your account for information. I
opted to have the files frozen about a year ago once my state passed
the law giving me that choice (I think it's outrageous that that isn't
the default) and I have two credit cards - so far no problems with
them. Like you I don't anticipate applying for credit and if I do, or
one of the other situations arises where a company needs to check my
file, I will ask them which credit agency they use and tem****arily
open that file up. Unfortunately, there will be a $10 fee to do so
each time for me. I think if you are a certain senior citizen age,
then there is no charge.
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