Depend on You

Being a better human, is also taking charge of you, aka personal responsibility. People should not depend on anyone, any company to do the right thing when it comes to you. Take charge yourself; the one you can depend on. Most of the consumer advocates are saying, watch your statement, review your credit report etc. This advice, although well intended, falls short; because if something happens, your left with the headache. Now Target says they have personal information stolen; now hackers can open up accounts in your name. Even though you can monitor your credit report, it may take some time for these things to show up on it. To take charge: Go to the 4 credit reporting agencies. Sign up for a credit freeze. This is really your best defense. A credit freeze will prevent anyone from opening up an account, checking credit etc., without your PIN number. When you freeze your credit, you will be issued a PIN number; DO NOT lose them; this is something you should keep in multiple places, even in a safe deposit box. When you need to apply for credit, you will have to ask what credit agency they use, and call that agency, and provide the PIN number, to allow access for this application. Its costs $10 per agency, so for $40, you will have much more peace of mind. A Credit Freeze is better than credit monitoring; as credit monitoring will not really prevent identity theft in the form of financial credit. You will find out when it's too late, and then have to try and fix everything. Some people will say this is pain when applying for credit; but better this pain, than the alternative "after the fact" pain. Pre-Act, instead of Re-Act. The 4 credit reporting agencies are: Transunion, Equifax, Experian, and Innovis. If you are in a "Target" situation, don't wait; call the card issuer and report card number stolen, and have them send you a new one. Forget the free credit monitoring offer of the most part. Getting a new card number and PIN is the 1st thing I would do. Same when a website's login/passwords have been hacked. When any website I have a login/password is reported as having been hacked; even if I'm not notified as one who has been affected; I go to that website immediately and change my password. Again, taking charge for yourself. Can't remember all your passwords, get a password manager program/app; best money you ever spent.