Freeze your Credit Now.....Free!

If you're like me (do as I say not as I do), you did not follow through on your good intentions a year ago.  Even though the recommendation following the Equifax breach was to "freeze your credit" to be safe, only 17% of the nation's citizens did that.  

But, as of last Friday, freezing your credit at all three major credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - is free!  (Procrastination pays off in this case).  The process has not been shortened, but you can't beat "free."  Credit freezes restrict access to your credit file and make it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.

Want more information and the "how-to's"?  Here are two great links:
1) From the government website:  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/09/free-credit-freezes-are-here

2) For the "how-to's" and links:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/09/21/equifax-free-credit-freeze-new-law/1377815002/ 

Just set aside one hour and DO IT!

Be safe in 2018!

We've talked about it before....protecting our digital privacy.  But, it seems there are always questions.  So, let's review 5 ways to protect your digital privacy in 2018:

1) Keep all of your devices updated.  Updates often contain "patches" to repair your phone or computer's security vulnerability.

2)  Use two-factor authentication(TFA).  Yes, this means an extra step to login in to accounts, but is well worth your time.  Don't know how to?  This article will give you some tips.

3) Freeze your credit. (remember our conversations after the Equifax debacle?)

4) Install a password manager. (Lyle Hayslett has used one for several years and highly recommends it!)

5) Make privacy a priority; don't just automatically give your computer or your phone "access" to your contacts or to other apps.  Take a look at your settings on Facebook, on your browser, and at your privacy settings on your smartphone.

If you'd like more detail about the 5 items above, check out this great article from Consumer Reports.