- Use AnnualCreditReport.com to review your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion files each year free. Best to check a different credit bureau every 4 months.
- Use CreditSesame.com and CreditKarma.com to track credit bureau data.
- Use a bank or credit card provider's free alert of suspicious activity.
Credit Freezes
- A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report unless you expressly allow it to be shared. Without it, identify thieves can't open new accounts in your name.
- Contact each of the 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax 800-349-9960, Experian 888-397-3742, and TransUnion 888-909-8872) to enact, lift or temporarily "thaw" freezes when applying for credit, seeking a new job, or switching utility providers.
More freebies to fight fraud here.