Chapter 01
Protect your identity
Most identity protection is free. A credit freeze at the three bureaus, a report at IdentityTheft.gov and a habit of checking your credit reports stop the majority of new-account fraud. These guides start there and cover the paid services honestly.
- What to do after a data breach, based on what was leakedA breach notice is a prompt, not an emergency. Work out what was exposed, then take the two or three steps that match it.Read the guide 8 min read
- How to freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnionA credit freeze is free, takes about half an hour for all three bureaus, and is the single best defense against someone opening accounts in your name.Read the guide 7 min read
- What to do if your identity is stolen: a step-by-step recovery planIdentity theft recovery is mostly paperwork done in the right order. Start with the FTC report, because almost every other step asks for it.Read the guide 7 min read
- Is identity theft protection worth it? What you get, and what you can do freeIdentity theft protection services mostly watch and alert. The free credit freeze prevents more. A paid plan can still make sense for some people.Read the guide 6 min read