National Public Data has confirmed a significant data breach that may have compromised the personal information of tens of millions of Americans, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and more. This breach, which occurred in December 2023 but was only acknowledged in August 2024, raises critical questions about personal data security and credit management. In the wake of such incidents, individuals must consider whether to freeze their credit. A credit freeze can prevent new creditors from accessing your credit report, but it does not eliminate all risks of fraud. The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—along with tools to check if your data has been compromised. It also discusses the implications of credit freezes for business owners and offers insights into monitoring your credit effectively. Ultimately, while freezing your credit can enhance security, it is not a foolproof solution against identity theft.
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