{"id":237,"date":"2015-07-02T15:44:48","date_gmt":"2015-07-02T19:44:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blissbook.com\/blog\/?p=237"},"modified":"2019-08-16T13:09:27","modified_gmt":"2019-08-16T17:09:27","slug":"how-to-place-a-security-freeze-to-prevent-identity-theft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blissbook.com\/blog\/how-to-place-a-security-freeze-to-prevent-identity-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Place a Security Freeze to Prevent Identity Theft"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"identity-theft\"<\/a>It seems like every month there’s a new story of a company being hacked. Earlier this year it was\u00a0Anthem \/ Blue Cross Blue Shield<\/a>\u00a0and last year it was Target (who\u00a0recently settled for $10mm<\/a>) and\u00a0Home Depot<\/a>.\u00a0The most recent incident was a couple weeks ago when\u00a0the US Government’s Office of Personnel Management was hacked<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This one hit home for me. Many years ago, I passed all the necessary tests to be a Foreign Service Officer<\/a>. This included a thorough background check<\/a>,\u00a0which\u00a0includes where I’ve lived, where I’ve traveled, any drugs I’ve ever taken, and extensive personal information of my friends and family. It’s all\u00a0now in the hands of the Chinese government and whoever else they sell\/give it to. Oops.<\/p>\n

Think this problem is going away? Not a chance.<\/p>\n

Now, although it’s up to IT\/IS departments to keep information safe, there is<\/em> something HR can do to help their employees prevent identity theft.<\/p>\n

Have them place a security freeze on their credit report.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A credit freeze prevents anyone from obtaining credit using your identity (including yourself). If\u00a0you<\/i>\u00a0want to obtain credit, you will have to contact all 4 credit reporting companies and have the freeze lifted either temporarily or permanently.<\/p>\n

Here in Atlanta, GA, it costs $3 for each of the 3 main ones to place a freeze, and another $3 to lift it. Innovis is free.<\/p>\n

Costs will vary by state<\/a> but are all less than $12.<\/p>\n

To put a security freeze on your credit, contact these 4 companies:<\/p>\n