What do you know, like, dislike, about 'credit freezes, locks'?

[left-of-center2012]

"A credit freeze and a credit lock are two ways to protect your credit reports
from being used by scammers to open new accounts."

I know I would have to do it with all three major credit reporting agencies.
Have you done it, and is it a good idea, or a pain in the butt?

Thanks

[RKP5637]

1. I've done it and it's easy to do! n/t

[hurl]

2. Easy to do

I did it for my aging Mom, who will never need another account or loan. Two of the three allowed me to do it for free, and one charged $10. Also, if I recall correctly, two allowed me to do it online, and one required it by phone.

[ecstatic]

3. It's sort of a pain but it makes you triple think any

financial decisions. Spur of the moment actions aren't possible. I've temporarily lifted my freeze on 2 separate occasions this year, once to buy a car, and then to open a new CD account. May lift for a 3rd time to switch my cell phone carrier.

Temporary lifts are easy to do--you simply enter the start and end date, and that's it!

It helps when a lender can tell you exactly which bureau to unfreeze and the exact length of time needed; but if not, simply lift all three for a week or 2.

Lifting the freeze permanently isn't an option at this point. My information has been breached by way too many asshole corps. Congress really needs to do something.

[hunter]

4. Medical catastrophe ended any concerns I have about credit. I used to care, now I don't.

I suppose I could "rehabilitate" my credit but I'm no longer interested.

Maybe I'd still give a shit about consumer credit had I been living in a nation with universal health care.

But now all credit card offers go directly to the shredder and I buy everything, including cars, with cash.

There are no credit cards in my wallet.

[left-of-center2012]

5. Are you saying ...

Medical catastrophes wiped out your credit?

[hunter]

6. Yep. Random shit falling out of the sky.

Shit that could happen to anyone.