I thought about freezing my credit for a long time before I finally did it. It was a bit complicated, but it made it harder for criminals to use my information. When you freeze your credit, you have to unfreeze it every time you want to apply for a new credit card, loan, or mortgage. You have to set up accounts with the three main credit bureaus – Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. The best part is that it’s free and gives you peace of mind knowing your information is safe.
Data breaches are common, and I wanted to protect myself. Freezing my credit was a good step, but it’s not foolproof. It won’t stop all types of identity theft. You still need to be careful with your passwords and monitor your accounts. Overall, I’m glad I froze my credit, even though it’s not perfect. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Vocabulary List:
- Criminals /ˈkrɪmɪnəlz/ (noun): Individuals who commit illegal acts.
- Freeze /friːz/ (verb): To temporarily stop the use of something especially credit or assets.
- Bureaus /ˈbjʊəroʊz/ (noun): Organizations or agencies that provide specific services such as credit reporting.
- Mortgages /ˈmɔːr.tɪ.ɡɪs/ (noun): Loans specifically used to purchase real estate secured by the property itself.
- Breaches /briːtʃɪz/ (noun): Violations or breaks in security or protocol often resulting in unauthorized access to data.
- Identity Theft /aɪˈdɛntɪti θɛft/ (noun): The fraudulent acquisition and use of someone else’s personal information.
How much do you know?
