Identity Theft & Monitoring...FYI

[GoBuckeyes]

Hi all, I just wanted to recommend an App that I use to monitor my credit scores which is free and has proven itself VERY useful. The app is called Credit Karma. It's free and if you don't want to use the App they have a website you log into thats just as easy to navigate. I can't say enough good things about it. This past weekend my identity was stolen and someone attempted to open up seven new accounts. One was opened immediately for $6500 which quickly had over $6000 worth of purchases racked up. Several of the others were in the process of being approved. This App helped me quickly identify the stores that were applied to, contact them and get the ball rolling to stop the approvals and start righting the damage. CK monitors the TransUnion Bureau and Equifax Bureau, unfortunately it isn't tied into the third bureau Experian.

Whether you choose to use Credit Karma is up to you, however, I would highly recommend you use it or something similar.

 

[Earl Weiss]

The credit Karma score is not what lenders will use. It gives you some idea but it may differ considerably.

 

[Rudy]

Unless you need to apply for credit...consider putting on credit freezes. Several years back, I froze all 3 credit bureaus....which makes it very, very difficult open new accounts.

I think that after September 21, 2018.....the freezes will be free by law.