According to a class action lawsuit, a hacking group claimed it had stolen the personal records of 2.9B people from National Public Data during a breach back in April. This supposedly included highly sensitive information, such as social security numbers. One of the few things people can do when personal information like this is stolen is to freeze their credit. A security freeze prevents creditors from accessing the credit report of an individual, which in turn prevents thieves from opening fraudulent lines of credit in their name. Freezing and unfreezing credit is simple and does not affect one’s credit score. This can be done by requesting a freeze from each of the major credit agencies over phone, online, or mail. I’ll link a guide from CNN below.
CNN Guide for how to freeze credit: www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/how-to-freeze-your-credit
According to a class action lawsuit, a hacking group claimed it had stolen the personal records of 2.9B people from National Public Data during a breach back in April. This supposedly included highly sensitive information, such as social security numbers.
One of the few things people can do when personal information like this is stolen is to freeze their credit. A security freeze prevents creditors from accessing the credit report of an individual, which in turn prevents thieves from opening fraudulent lines of credit in their name. Freezing and unfreezing credit is simple and does not affect one’s credit score. This can be done by requesting a freeze from each of the major credit agencies over phone, online, or mail. I’ll link a guide from CNN below.